In order to further the already existing knowledge of the relationship between cerebral aging and haemorheological parameters, we determined the haemorheological and neuro-psychological profiles in a group of normal, self-sufficient and active octogenarians. The haemorheological profile is an index of microcirculatory function, and the neuro-psychological profile is specific for the cortical functions. Thirty octogenarian subjects (average age
SE), 12 males and 18 females, all with a negative clinical history for important diseases, were studied. Our results regarding the haemorheological status show that fibrinogen seems to act as a “marker for aging”, as there is a clear correlation between this factor and age, while haematocrit seems to be the “longevity marker”, as it is substantially analogous to that of the young controls. The psycho-intellectual condition of the 30 healthy octogenarians shows that the superior cortical functions most suited to their life style are well conserved. This is in contrast with the findings of some authors that point out selective age-dependent compromission of the right hemisphere.
