Forgetful old roués could just be loony

VANCOUVER -- Old men who regard themselves as handsome devils and seek romantic escapades with much younger women are likely to be victims of a bizarre, age-related psychiatric disorder, suggests a study presented at the International Psychogeriatric Association in Vancouver.

Called senile narcissism, the psychogeriatric syndrome was described by Dr Abraham Rudnick of Israel, who followed a widowed Tel Aviv man for three years.

The man, in his 70s, had impaired short-term memory and began perceiving himself as much younger and more attractive than he was.

The man's family was concerned because he was having affairs with a succession of younger women and headed for financial disaster.

Professor Lilian Thorpe, geriatric psychiatrist at the University of Saskatchewan, said the condition appears to be associated with short-term memory loss. -- Sapa