Project Information

What is the Berlin Aging Study?

The Berlin Aging Study is a multidisciplinary investigation of old people aged 70 to over 100 years who live in former West Berlin. In the main study (1990–1993), a core sample (see Samples) of 516 individuals was closely examined in 14 sessions covering their mental and physical health, their psychological functioning, and their social and economic situation. Since then, the study has been continued as a longitudinal study, and surviving participants have been reexamined seven times (see Methods).

Until the end of 1998, BASE was supported by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, and the participating institutions. From 2008 to 2011, it was co-sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development has led the project since 2008.

Institutions Cooperating in BASE

Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II)

The Berlin Aging Study II is a continuation of the Berlin Aging Study. BASE-II investigates the physical, cognitive, and social conditions that lead to successful aging. In all, 2.200 Berlin residents are being investigated. They form two groups: 1.600 participants belong to the older sample aged between 60 and 80, and 600 participants are between 20 and 35. The group of younger people functions as a reference group for the group of older participants. The first wave of data collection started in 2009. Like BASE, BASE-II is conceptualized as a longitudinal study: The assessments are being repeated approximately every three years to gain information about aging over time. more

Lifebrain

Lifebrain is an international research project integrating data from 6000 European study participants. BASE and BASE-II are involved in this project. more