Psychopharmacology and successful cerebral aging

1. Aging is characterized by a progressive loss of coordinated functions with a loss of complexity in all physiologic systems and a gradual decrease in the adaptability to the environment. A number of different theories of aging are briefly reviewed and pharmacologic intervention with, or rate control of the aging process is entertained. 2. Dementia is characterized by a progressive, non-specific disintegration of personality with cognitive decline. The distinctiveness of the disease process which underlies dementing illness from the aging process is emphasized. A number of different pharmacologic treatment modalities with a potential for interfering with cognitive decline and for providing disease control in dementing illness are considered. 3. Nootropics are defined as substances which facilitate integration through activation of physiologic adaptation. The possibility is entertained that nootropics through their particular action mechanisms might interfere with both the dementing process (i.e., disintegration of personality) and the aging process (i.e., loss of coordinated functions).