This book, Recent Advances in Geriatrics, is based on the proceedings of the 8th Course of the School of Gerontology and Geriatrics held in Erice (Trapani, Italy) at the International Centre for Scientific Culture "Ettore Majorana" on March 20-25, 1997. This international effort was organized jointly by professors from the University of Palermo (It­ aly) and from Wayne State University (Michigan, USA) as a result of a cross-cultural col­ laboration of several years. _ The increasing average age of the populations in industrialized countries has resulted in increased interest in the different biological, medical, psychological, and eco­ nomic aspects related to the health and social care of the elderly. Physicians and health care practitioners are realizing the need for a revised approach to geriatric care. Comprising contributions of clinicians and scientists from Italy and North America, the present volume provides a multidisciplinary approach to many gerontological and geriatric problems, examined from a scientific and a practical point of view. Several of the most important aspects of the aging process - the genetics of aging, body composition modification, immunological, endocrinological, and renal physiology changes - have been addressed. Data from a multi-center Italian study on centenarians is reported, to­ gether with an update on clinical and pharmacological approaches to dementia syndromes and economic and social aspects related to the care of the elderly.