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In the programme section 'Psychogeriatrics' of the SGO Health Research Promotion Programme a longitudinal study was carried out in Amsterdam from 1989 until 1994, concerning the course of mild cognitive decline in elderly people (the AMSTEL project). The scientific aims were the development of diagnostical instruments for the early diagnosis of dementia, the development of criteria which predict the course of mild cognitive impairment and the expansion of knowledge on the relationship between somatic and psychiatric pathology and dementia. The programme also had aims regarding medical education and patient care. The results include the following: in order to diagnose dementia in general practice questions regarding orientation and short-term memory are helpful. Risk factors for cognitive deterioration in elderly people include hippocampal atrophy on the MRI scan, a low level of education and subjective complaints regarding memory. Subjective complaints regarding memory are not primarily caused by a depressive mood, as is often thought, but are important as correct self-observations of cognitive deterioration, and go with an increased risk of developing dementia. Besides the AMSTEL project a feasibility study was carried out concerning a psychogeriatric case register in Amsterdam.

As a part of the SGO Health Research Promotion Programme, in collaboration with the Toxicological Research Stimulation Programme, a research programme in the field of toxicology was realized. The study ran from 1990 to 1994 (4 years) and comprised animal and clinical research into the possible adverse effects of exposure of the foetus and the neonate to polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polychlorodibenzoparadioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans via the placenta and maternal milk. The clinical studies in neonates revealed a slight alteration of the thyroid metabolism (still within normal limits) after increased exposure to dioxides and PCB (as measured in maternal plasma, cord plasma and maternal milk), while slight neurological abnormalities without clinical relevance were also observed. It is concluded from these study results that there are no grounds to advise against breast feeding.