[Body and memory--physical diseases and cognitive disorders].

Physiological and pathologic changes of various body functions have a great influence on the cognitive performance of a human being in the course of aging. Knowledge-based neuropsychological abilities do not change much during the physiological aging process. However, the decreasing capacity of the working and sensory memory lead to lesser attention and learning performance in the elderly, compared to younger population groups. Pathological mental function changes correlate with the existence of certain physical diseases, the most important of which show an increasing incidence with old age. Degenerative diseases especially Alzheimer's disease and other demential syndromes as well as vascular diseases of the central nervous system, tumors, inflammation, epilepsy, traumatic as well as metabolic and toxic damages to the central nervous system can affect cognitive and physical function to a high degree. Prevention in old age plays a key role. The therapeutic approach to the cognitive disorder is selected according to the disease stage and should be multiprofessional, including the best applicable medical and nonmedical treatment and support for the patient and his family.