[Relationship between normal aging and Alzheimer's dementias. Practical applications].

During the process of normal ageing significant loss of neural brain cells is known to take place. To a greater or lesser degree, all ageing persons undergo the process which does not deviate in a qualitative sense from the morphological changes observed in the dementias. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the following 3 relationships can occur between normal ageing and the dementias. Firstly, dementia may results directly from the ageing process of the C.N.S. alone. Secondly, a number of diverse factors either augments normal ageing deficits or accelerates the very process. Finally, normal ageing and dementias are assumed to be coincidental. There exists considerable evidence that most dementias are generated by an accelerating rate of ageing of the C.N.S. or by augmentation of the process by diverse factors. The acceptance of the above hypothesis may be beneficial not only from the theoretical point of view but could also produce new treatment techniques and, particularly, assist in preventing Alzheimer's and other dementias.