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 In­ ternational 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 re­ sulted 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.