Experimental gerontopsychology attempts to test causal hypotheses about old age-related behavioral changes by the manipulation of age-differences. An experimental treatment is introduced with the purpose of equating different age-groups with respect to a potentially relevant function. If the treatment results in an assimilation of the behavior of the different age-groups (age by-treatment interaction), differences in this function are con sidered as causal for the normally observed behavioral differ ence. If it does not result in an assimilation of the behavior of the different age-groups (main effect of treatment), differ ences in this function are considered as irrelevant for the nor mally observed behavioral difference. The different interpretations of age-by-treatment interactions and main effects of treatment in this kind of research are reasonable only if the experimental treatment actually results in an equalization of the age-groups with respect to the func tion of interest. As is shown, such a functional equalization can neither be demonstrated nor assumed in many cases. In such cases, studies with either age-group can be used to investigate hypotheses about potential causes for old age-related behavioral changes, studies with young subjects having important advantages over studies with old subjects. A test of causal relationships by age-by-treatment interactions is possible in cases where the experimental treatment evidently results in an equalization of the age groups with respect to the function in question. Unfortunately, the field of application for this kind of approach is rather limited.

Foreword and Welcome

Opening Remarks
Characterization of Behavioral Changes and Disorders in Old Age
Speed of Behavior as an Indicator of Age Changes and the Integrity of the Nervous System
Classification of Psychopathologie Syndromes in Old Age
Symptom Profiles in Hospital and Community Resident Elderly Persons with Dementia
Discussion
Quantitative Evaluation of Old Age Related Changes and Disorders. Vigilance
Some Experiments and a Model for Changes in Attentional Selectivity with Old Age
Vigilance and Drive: Clinical and Psychophysiological Changes in Old Age
Electroencephalographic Changes in Normal Aging and Dementia
Changes in Visual Event-Related Potentials in Older Persons
Discussion
Performance, Learning and Memory
Psychometric Assessment of Dysfunction in Learning and Memory
Temperamental Predictors of Longitudinal Change in Performance on the Benton Revised Visual Retention Test Among Seventy Year Old Men: An Exploratory Study
Discussion
Cognitive Functions
The Critical Importance of Appropriate Methodology in the Study of Aging: The Sample Case of Psychometric Intelligence
Evolutive Profiles in Senile Dementia. A Psychological and Neuropsychological Longitudinal Study
Discussion
Affect
Critical Considerations on Methods of Assessing Emotional and Motivational Characteristics of Old Persons
A Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule: A New 15-Item Monotonic Scale Indicative of Functional Psychiatric Disorder
Discussion
Assessment of Regional Cerebral Circulation
Disorders of Brain Functions Due to Stroke. Correlates in Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and in Computerized Tomography
Static-Dynamic Aspects of Cerebral Blood Flow in Relation to Brain Function
Activity Distribution in the Cerebral Cortex in OrganicDementia as Revealed by Measurements of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow
Cerebral Circulatory Changes in Normal Aging and Dementia
Effects of Exogenous Changes in Heart Rate Upon Perceptual and Psychomotor Performance in Patients with Artificial Pacemakers
Discussion
The Significance of Experimental Studies in Man
Significance of Studies with Young Healthy Subjects for Research on Gerontology: Some Methodological Considerations
Event-Related Brain Potentials - Manifestations of Cognitive Activity
Discussion
The Significance of Experimental Studies in Animals
Speculations on the Nature of Behavioral Deficits with Aging
Operant Behavior: A Model in Geriatric Neuropsychopharmacology
Effects of Normal Aging on Cerebral Circulation and Energy Metabolism
Mechanisms of Cellular Damage in the Brain
Cerebral Dysfunction Related to Local and Global Ischemia of the Brain
Neurophysiology of Aged Animals. Biophysical and Biochemical Nervous System Aspects of Aging
Discussion
A Critical Review of Therapy of Changes and Disorders in Old Age
General Aspects of Psychiatric Therapy in Age, Especially Psychopharmacotherapy
Geriatric Psychopharmacology: Drug Modification of Memory and Emotionality in Relation to Aging in Human and Nonhuman Primate Brain
Psychopharmacotherapy in Psychogeriatric Disorders
Discussion
General Discussion
Synopsis and Concluding Remarks
Author Index.