Population-based study of ageing in the Netherlands.The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) at the VU University and VU University Medical Centre is initiated by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports in 1991 to determine predictors and consequences of ageing. LASA focuses on physical, emotional, cognitive and social functioning in late life, the connections between these aspects, and the changes that occur in the course of time.It concerns a cross-sequential longitudinal study, with a multidisciplinary approach, a sample in 3 regions, initial ages of respondents 55-85. Number of cases: N = 3,107 (1992) and N=1,002 (2002), and number of variables: over 10,000.For access to the data, please see the LASA website.