Intestinal folacin absorption and mucosal conjugase activities were assessed in healthy male elderly (65-83 years) and young (20-29 years) human subjects. Luminal disappearance as measured simultaneously from the perfused jejunum of 3 mumol of both [3H]pteroylmonoglutamate [( 3H]PG-1) and pteroyl-[14C]glutamyl-hexaglutamate [( 14C]PG-7) as well as the urinary recovery of each isotope and mucosal conjugase activities were compared. Luminal disappearance of either [3H]PG-1 or [14C]PG-7 was not different for the two age groups (P greater than 0.05). The average (mean +/- SD) disappearance of [3H]PG-1 was 63 +/- 12% in the elderly and 67 +/- 6% in the young groups. In contrast, the disappearance of [14C]PG-7 averaged 51 +/- 6% in the elderly and 48 +/- 3% in the young group. Urinary recovery (percent in 48 hours) was not different for either isotope when the two age groups were compared (P greater than 0.05). The urinary recovery of 3H averaged 60 +/- 21% in the elderly and 59 +/- 13% in the young in contrast to 35 +/- 22% and 35 +/- 7% for 14C recovery in the elderly and young groups, respectively. Folacin conjugase activities measured at pH 6.5 and at pH 4.5 were not different between the groups (P greater than 0.05). The findings indicate that intestinal absorption of folacin and activity of folacin conjugases are not affected by the aging process.

In recent years, Alzlzeimer's disease lzcis becoiize well known both to the medical profession and to layinen cis an increasingly important cmse of inorbidity and mortality in the elderly. As interest in the disease has grown, so has the scient$ic literature. In the past four years, over 400 jotirnul (irticles in the English language alone have been publislzed on various aspects of Alzlzeiiner's rlisecise.Those pcirticipating in the Geriatric Medicine Fellowslzip Program at tlw Gainesville V A Mediccil Center have compiled an annotated list of 92 important references on Alzlzeimer's disease. These are class$ied into six major groups: General Review, Etiology, PatIzopRysiology, Diagnosis, Treutment, and Epidemiology. It is important f o r the practicing plzysician to be able to quickly find references to recent studies on various aspects of Alzkcimer's clisease, especicilly those related to treatinent possibilities. Family mcinbers of Alzkcimer's patients are particularly well infomned about this disease and are anxious to learn about tlze latest resecirclz advances from their physicians. I. CENEIIAL REVIEW 1. College Coininittee on Geriatrics: Organic mental impairment in the elderly. J 13 Coll Physicians Loiid 15:141-67, 1981 A romprclicnsive reiiort runsistiiig or llircc piirts: (1) siinininry or clisc~sc processes. pntlioloyy. nssessmctit. nnd tlicrupy crf the dcnic~itius: (2) iinnlysis or tlic prnvision of lienltli enre to the denicnted clclcrly in Great Uritnirr: nnil(3) grolwsnls for ccliieiition for Iicnltlr profcssioniils nnd tlic generid piil~lic to increase iinilerstiinding of incntnl iinpiiirincnt 111 tlic clclcrly. 2. Butler RN: Cliartiiig the conquest of senility. Bull NY Acnd Med 58:362-81, 1982 Cites the ~ieglcct orpsycliititryiind psycliology to ialdrcss IIIC probleiiis UIICI CIIIISCS ordcnletlti~i. nevic\vs h i c fentiires hlzlicinicr's iliseusc nnd discusses vnriniis cni~s:il tlicwrics. l~iiinlly revlcws llic c o i i~~~i i l i i r r~i t of tlic NIA to sponsor rcsciircli in tliis nren. 3. Glenner GG: Alzheimer's disease (senile dementia): a research update and critique with recommendations. J Am Geriatr SOC 3035942, 1982 Sumiiiurizcs llic latest rcscsreli findings in Alzliciiner's cliscnse and clisci~sses the ~l i l r i~~l t i~~ inlierent i n stiidyiiig this iliscnsc. Si~ggcstions iirc iniidc Cir ne\v uppronclws. itichiling enzyinc iiircl neirronnl rcccptar studies. 4. Bowen EM, Dnvison AN: The failing brain. J Chronic Dis 363-13, 1983 Describes progress nncl weas of contriivcrsy regarding i\lzlicinicr's iliswse. Cell loss. synoptogcncsis, Iiistopntliology. neiirotriuisiiiittcr metiibolisni. und bioclicniiciil chnngcs nrc ilisci~ssed. He\*icws ~ilinrinecologic IiBtcrveiition. 5. Hainill RW, Buell SJ: Dementia: clinical and basic science aspects. J Am Geriatr Soc 30:781-7, 1982 011tlitic~ ~IIC c l i~i i~~l lwturcs or SCIICSCC.IICC U I I~ dcincntin: dilli.rcntiiil diiignosis mid liistnclicniical niid ncii-roiritliolo~ic clinructcristics or Alzlieiiiicr's discese. G. Blass JP: Ileinentia. Med Clin...