(Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche)
Targeted Project on Ageing (Progetto Finalizzato Invecchiamento)
Targeted Project on Ageing (Progetto Finalizzato Invecchiamento)
Age associated changes in physiological and social functions as well as the occurrence of diseases in these older italians will be documented under the rubric of five subproject areas.
At the conclusion of this major effort, the first such broad-based study in Europe, the Italian authorities will have available documentation of the quality of life and health or the lack thereof of their older citzens.
This farsighted program of research into the life patterns of the older people of Italy will involve 214 research units. Most of these are based in the Universities, with important contributions from the National Research Council's own laboratories and investigators in other researc institutions.
Administrative Direction: Via Tiburtina, 770 - 00159 Roma
Tel. 06/4075891 - Fax 06/4075827
e-mail: mc5516@mclink.it
Technical Direction: Area della Ricerca del CNR
Via Leone Pancaldo, 21 - 50127 Firenze
Tel. 055/4223341 - 4223985 - Fax 055/4224240
e-mail: dellasanta@server.area.fi.cnr.it
| Subproject | description | Coordinator |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gerontobiology |
Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology allow us to understand and, hopefully, to control the deleterious aspects of ageing and to improve the quality of late life. Such a broad-side approach to the complexity of the biological processes of ageing necessarily involves a number of research group with expertise in varied experimental methodologies. |
Prof. Giuseppe ROTILIO Dip. di Biologia Università "Tor Vergata" Via della Ricerca Scientifica - 00133 - Roma Tel. 06/2025460 Fax 06/2025450 |
| 2 Italian Longitudinal Study on Ageing |
Studying of a population of about 6.000 subjects, aged over 65, in the different regions of Italy over five years of the project will permit the evaluation of the range of both physiological and pathological changes in the population, and the correlation of these with known as well as postulated risk factors for central nervous system, cardiovascular, and endocrine and metabolic disorders. |
Prof. Guglielmo SCARLATO Istituto clinica neurologica dell'Università di Milano - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Via F. Sforza, 35 - 20122 Milano Tel. 02/55184306 - 5466168 Fax 02/55013144 - 55190392 |
| 3 Ageing and endocrine-metabolic diseases: pathogenesis |
This project addresses the pathogenetic mechanisms that determine the most important endocrine and metabolic diseases of later life; diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and dyslipidemias. Studies of reproductive and sexual changes with age in both women and men are included. |
Prof. Guido POZZA Ospedale San Raffaele - Direzione Scientifica Via Olgettina, 60 - 20132 Milano Tel. 02/26432837 Fax 02/26413774 - 2152536 |
| 4 Ageing of the sensory system and cognitive processes |
In the project quantitative studies of visual changes with ageing will define more rational use of mechanical and electronic audio-visual aids, particularly for reading. Secondly, a diagnostic strategy will be developed and put in place to evaluate the hearding impairment of later life and to devise better interventions. Vestibular functions will be assessed. An important component will be to develop neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests that can be used in studies of older persons and in individuals with cognitive impairments. |
Prof. Corrado BALACCO GABRIELI Policlinico Umberto I - Cattedra di Ottica Fisiopatologica - II Divisione Oculistica 00161 Roma Tel. 06/490296 - 4457725 Fax 06/4457706 |
| 5 The ageing population: quality of the life and independence |
The factors that contribute to a high quality of life and maintenance of independent living for older people will be examined. The insoghts gained from the examination of successful ageing will allow us to develop strategies to counteract the main stresses that interfere with functional autonomy, whether these be social, psychological, environmental or disease related. |
Prof. Pierugo CARBONIN Policlinico Agostino Gemelli - Cattedra di Geriatria Largo Gemelli, 8 - 00168 Roma Tel. 06/3388546 Fax 06/3051911 |