[Psychological problems of incurable patients in old age (author's transl)].

Biological functions are regulated by feedback mechanisms. In old age disorders occur in this regulation by insufficiency of biochemical transmitters. The synthesizing enzymes of Tyrosine Hydroxylase, Tryptophan Hydroxylase, Dopa Decarboxylase and 5-Hydroxytryptophan Decarboxylase are diminished in old age. Minus symptoms as depression, or exhaustion and disorders of circulation occur. A substitution by biogenic transmitters is not possible, because these don't pass the blood-brain-barriere. Therefore a medication of psychopharmacological drugs is necessary. For instance Anxiety--tranquilizer, exhaustion--anti depressive drugs.