急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

急性脑梗死患者上气道形态变化

Objective To investigate the feature of the morphology changes in the upper airway in patients with acute cerebral infarction and to find a new method to prevent and cure cerebral infarction.Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction confirmed by brain MRI or CT scan(within 3 weeks of onset) were recruited.The patients were examined by upper airway MRI scan and polysomnography (PSG).Then the patients were divided into obstructive sleep apnea hypopnca syndrome(OSAHS)group and non-OSAHS group.In addition.16 patients showing OSAHS but without stroke history(OSAHS nonstroke group)were included in the study.The sagittal and horizontal lengths of the nasopharynx,palatopharynx,glossopharynx and hypopharynx were measured and their closs-sectional areas were calculated.The length,thickness and cross-sectional area of the palate were also measured.Statistic analysis of each data among the groups was performed using SPSS software.Results Among 66 cases with acute cerebral infarction,75.8 % (50/66)were diagnosed with OSAHS.The anteropesterior diameer,left and right diameters and smallest section area in upper airway were all smaller in the OSAHS group with acute cerebral infaretion than those in the non-OSAHS group and OSAHS non-stroke group.The narrowest segments in upper airway were nasopharynx and ompharynx.which are caused by shortened left and right diameters.The area of the soft palate in the OSAHS-stroke group was significant bigger((452.2±99.6)mm2)than that in non-OSAHS group((350.0±69.4)mm2,t:4.575,P<0.05).The lowest SO2 in OSAHS-stroke group(68.9 % ±10.5 % )was the lowest among three groups.The more severe the airway constriction was.the higher the apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)was and the lower the lowest SO2 was.Conclusion Patients withl stroke show higher incidence of OSAHS and present more severe multilevel upper airway constriction.Upper airway constriction may be the new target of early treatment for better prognosis of cerebral infarction.     

Changes of auditory evoked magnetic fields in patients after acute cerebral infarction using magnetoencephalography

Auditory evoked magnetic fields were recorded from 15 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 11 healthy volunteers using magnetoencephalography.The auditory stimuli of 2 kHz pure tone were binaurally presented with an interstimulus interval of 1 second.The intensity of stimuli was 90 dB and the stimulus duration was 8 ms.The results showed that the M100 was the prominent response, peaking approximately 100 ms after stimulus onset in all subjects.It originated from the area close to Heschl’s gyrus.In the patient group,the peak latency of M100 responses was significantly prolonged,and the mean strength of equivalent current dipole was significantly smaller in the affected hemisphere.The three-dimensional inter-hemispheric difference of the M100 positions was increased in the patient group.Our experimental findings suggested that impairment of cerebral function in patients with acute ischemic stroke can be detected using magnetoencephalography with the higher spatial resolution and temporal resolution.Magnetoencephalography could provide objective and sensitive indices to estimate auditory cortex function in patients with acute cerebral infarction.     

Neuroimaging in epilepsy in tropics

Epilepsy is a major public health problem in many tropical countries. Also, some of the tropical diseases are major contributors to the higher prevalence of epilepsy in these countries. The etiologic factors responsible for epilepsy in these countries are quite different from those in the developed world. This article discusses the etiologic factors and neuroimaging of epilepsy in light of the conditions in these tropical countries.     

癫痫与抑郁关系的研究进展

抑郁是癫痫患者中常见的精神障碍,严重地影响了患者的生活质量。传统的观点认为癫痫患者因为存在着诸多社会学问题易出现抑郁倾向,癫痫和抑郁是单向的联系,但大量的研究已经证明癫痫和抑郁之间存在双向的联系,一种异常状态的存在可能易转化为另一种异常状态的发展。癫痫和抑郁存在着共同的发病机制。本文主要就癫痫和抑郁的双向联系以及抗抑郁药物在癫痫患者中的应用进行阐述。     

Sudanophilic lipid accumulation in astrocytes in periventricular leukomalacia in monkeys

Summary Sudanophilic lipid accumulation is a characteristic feature of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) of infants. At least two types of lipid-containing cells have been identified, one being the macrophage, the other the pre-myelin glial cell. A third type of lipid-containing cell has been seen in two monkeys with spontaneous PVL. Electron microscopically this cell appears to be an astrocyte. This probably represents a reaction of the astrocyte to hypoxia and may be the equivalent of the hypertrophic astrocytes found in human infants.Supported in part by NIH grant HDO 8633 and the Regional Primate Research Center Grant RR-00166     

Increase in cathepsin D activity in rat brain in aging

Cathepsin D-like activity in homogenates of five brain areas of 3-month-old and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats was measured. With hemoglobin as substrate at pH 3.2, more than 90% of the activity was inhibited by pepstatin. In each area studied, activity was more than twice as high in the old rat brain: 140-160% higher in the cortex, cerebellum, pons-medulla, and striatum and 90-100% higher in the hippocampus and spinal cord. The greatly increased metabolic capacity in the absence of an increase in protein turnover may have a role in age-related pathological degeneration in the brain.     

Gender in Voice Perception in Autism

Deficits in the perception of social stimuli may contribute to the characteristic impairments in social interaction in high functioning autism (HFA). Although the cortical processing of voice is abnormal in HFA, it is unclear whether this gives rise to impairments in the perception of voice gender. About 20 children with HFA and 20 matched controls were presented with voice fragments that were parametrically morphed in gender. No differences were found in the perception of gender between the two groups of participants, but response times differed significantly. The results suggest that the perception of voice gender is not impaired in HFA, which is consistent with behavioral findings of an unimpaired voice-based identification of age and identity by individuals with autism. The differences in response times suggest that individuals with HFA use different perceptual approaches from those used by typically developing individuals.     

Increase in noradrenaline-synthesizing enzyme activity in medulla oblongata in Parkinson's disease

Summary Dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH), the noradrenaline-synthesizing enzyme, and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the adrenaline-synthesizing enzyme, were assayed in 18 areas of brain stem in eight cases of parkinsonian syndromes and of four age- and postmortem delay-matched controls. Dissection was performed by the punch technique and enzyme activities assayed by radiometric methods. No significant change was found for PNMT activity. DBH activity was significantly increased in the A2-C2 area of the medulla oblongata (including the nucleus tractus solitarius) in the cases of Parkinson's disease.The A2-C2 area is known to be implicated in the control of blood pressure in rats. These findings are discussed in relation to orthostatic hypotension and the influence ofl-dopa therapy.Supported by grants from INSERM ATP 657897, ATP 8179113, CRL 79-1-356-6, DGRST (80 E 0882), FRMF, and Sandoz-France France     

Changes in parasympathetic system in medulla oblongata in male pigs in the course of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

Background

Autonomic imbalance constituting a fundamental feature of heart failure (HF) has been assessed mainly at the periphery. Changes in the functioning of autonomic centers in the brain remain unclear. We investigated the molecular elements of parasympathetic system, i.e. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and enzymes metabolizing acetylcholine (acetylcholinesterase, AChE, choline acetyltransferase, ChAT) in medulla oblongata (MO) of male pigs with chronic tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

Methods

The mRNA levels of AChE, ChAT, α7nAChR and X-box binding protein 1 (spliced form, XBP1s) in MO were analyzed using qPCR, AChE and ChAT activities using spectrophotometry, proteasome activity using fluorometry, and the protein level of α7nAChR using Western blotting.

Results

The development of systolic HF was accompanied by an increase in circulating catecholamines, a decrease in the AChE and α7nAChR mRNA in MO, an increase in AChE activity (all p < 0.05), and no change in either the mRNA or activity of ChAT. Both circulating catecholamine levels and AChE activity were inversely related to systolic function of left myocardial ventricle (p < 0.05). The level of α7nAChR protein in MO and its cytoplasmatic fraction were higher in pigs with moderate and severe HF as compared to the other animals (p < 0.01). There was no difference in proteasome activity in MO between diseased and healthy animals, whereas the XBP1s mRNA decreased during HF progression (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Molecular elements of parasympathetic system are changed within the medulla oblongata during the progression of systolic non-ischemic heart failure in male pigs, indicating a functional link between MO and heart in HF.     

Issues in evaluation of cognition in the elderly in developing countries

Background:

Developing regions of the world host the majority of elderly subjects who are at risk for dementia. Reliable epidemiological data from these countries is invaluable in tackling this global problem. Scarcity of such data in literature is largely attributable to problems that are unique to developing communities worldwide.

Objective:

To classify and describe the problems that interfere with the collection of reliable epidemiological data on cognitive impairment in the elderly in developing communities, and to suggest practical solutions for some of them.

Methods:

Inferring from the experiences of a large, ongoing, population-based study on the cognitive impairments in the elderly in South India and from the review of literature.

Conclusion:

A fatalistic attitude regarding aging in the communities, significant heterogeneity in educational abilities and activities of daily living, high illiteracy among rural subjects, and lack of an organized health care system and updated demographic figures are some of the major factors that contribute to technical, namely, methodology-related problems and practical, namely, subject-related problems in such epidemiological studies.     

Characteristics of nociceptors in the periodontium--an in vitro study in rats

Recent studies have indicated that nociceptors can be classified into various types according to their physiological properties. These studies have clarified that the frequency distribution of various nociceptor types is different among body sites and animal species. In the present study, we investigated the physiological properties of rat's periodontal nociceptors in an in vitro jaw-nerve preparation. Responses were recorded from functional single filaments in the inferior alveolar nerve. To determine the nociceptor type, calibrated von Frey filaments, heat, and bradykinin (BK) stimuli were used. We found five subtypes of nociceptors in the periodontal ligaments of the lower incisor: Adelta-high threshold mechanonociceptors (Adelta-HTM, n=28), Adelta-mechanoheat nociceptors (Adelta-MH, n=6), Adelta-polymodal nociceptors (Adelta-POLY, n=26), C-high threshold mechanonociceptors (C-HTM, n=3) and C-polymodal nociceptors (C-POLY, n=4). Most nociceptors were Adelta-innervated, while only a small number of C-innervated nociceptors were found. The present results suggest that periodontal nociceptors transmit mainly fast pain, and may thus play a role in rapid detection of injure-related stimuli during mastication.     

Suicide in the elderly in Austria

In most countries men and women have the highest suicide rates in age groups over 60 years. We investigated suicide rates for the elderly in Austria, a country with one of the highest suicide rates in the world, for the period 1980–1991, using data from the Federal Statistical Division. Suicide rates remained stable over the last decade at a very high level. The mean rate for men was 85.2, for women 28.6/100 000. In men and women rates rise with age. The mean rate of men rises from 51.2 (60–64 years) to 117.3/100 000 (over 85 years); in women there is an increase from 21.4 (60–64 years) to 32.8/100 000 (over 85 years). We did not confirm findings in other countries, where suicide rates have increased in recent years.