A survey was made of the electroencephalographic (EEG) changes during the human lifespan. It was found that the EEG changes during childhood and adolescent maturation continue even between the ages of 30 and 60 years. There is a decrease in the abundance of alpha activity, with a reduction in the fast part and a relative increase in the slow part of the alpha band. In the span of life between 60 and 90, there is an increase of slow waves with a progressive slowing during the aging process and a shift in the dominant frequency from 9 cps to 7 cps. Computerization of results in the beta band (above 13 cps) enables differentiation of the waves of the lower part (13-25 cps) from those of the upper part (above 25-30 cps). The lower part of the beta band decreases parallel to the alpha activity but the upper part of the beta band increases in amount during the aging process. The meaning of the divergent behavior of these sub-groups of beta activity in the aged is discussed. The EEG seems to be an important factor in the study of aged persons.
Clinical and electroencephalographic studies of an ergot alkaloid preparation (Hydergine) were made in nonpsychotic geriatric patients. In Study I (acute and subacute), 4 persons (average age, 68.5 years) were given 0.6 mg of Hydergine by injection daily for fifteen days. Apart from slight changes in affectivity and decreases in diastolic blood pressure, no significant effects were observed. In Study I1 (chronic), 22 pairs of patients (average age, 78.7 years) matched in sex, age and previous occupation received by mouth 4.5 mg of Hydergine or placebo daily for three months, according to a randomization schedule under double-blind conditions. A series of psychological and psychopathological tests were conducted. Of 21 clinical and psychological variables, 13 showed a significant improvement with Hydergine, and 2 with placebo. Statistically significant improvements with Hydergine were noted for affectivity, psychomotor activity, and for global estimation of 18 items in a behavioural and psychological rating scale. The difference between the group with improved EEGs and the non-improved group was significantly more favourable with Hydergine than with placebo (P < 0.001). The positive type of EEG changes and the geriatric EEG in general are discussed.
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