Alzheimer's Study Suggests One In Three People Born This Year Will Develop Dementia
One In Three People Born This Year Will Develop Dementia, Study Suggests
By Jane Kirby, Press Association Health Editor— PA
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One in three people born this year will develop dementia, according to new figures.
The Alzheimer's Research UK charity warned of a "looming national health crisis" as the population ages.
It called for greater efforts across the globe to help develop new treatments.
Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK, resulting in the loss of brain cells. The most common type is Alzheimer's disease.
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Early symptoms include problems with memory and thinking. As the disease progresses, people can experience difficulty with walking, balance and swallowing.
Alzheimer's Research UK said age was the biggest risk factor for developing dementia.
As people live longer than ever before, the numbers with dementia will rise.
The latest analysis, commissioned by the charity and carried out by the Office of Health Economics, was released to mark World Alzheimer's Day.
It showed 27% of boys born in 2015 will develop the condition in their lifetime, alongside 37% of girls.
Previous research from the same team has estimated that the development of a drug which could delay the onset of dementia by five years would cut the number of cases by a third.
Dr Matthew Norton, head of policy at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "It's wonderful news that each generation is living longer than the last, but it's important to ensure that people can enjoy these extra years in good health.
"Dementia is our greatest medical challenge and, if we are to beat it, we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions.
"Research has the power to transform lives, and our actions now will help determine the future for children born today."
Amanda Franks, from Swindon, a champion of Alzheimer's Research UK, whose mother Cathy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's six years ago, said: "My mum was only 58 when she was diagnosed.
"Up until then, we had no idea this devastating disease could affect someone so young.
"Simple day-to-day tasks like making a cup of tea, getting dressed and eating soon became a huge challenge for mum.
"Dad cared for her at home with family help for five years, by which time things were getting out of hand with her violent behaviour and hallucinations - life became extremely stressful.
"As a mum myself, I would dearly love to see preventions and new treatments found to defeat Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, giving hope to people now and future generations."
Also to mark World Alzheimer's Day, the Alzheimer's Society urged people to sign up to become a dementia friend.
The initiative combines face-to-face information sessions and online videos to help people learn more about dementia and ways they can make a difference.
Early Symptoms of Dementia
No Initiative (01 of10)
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At times everyone can become tired of housework, business activities, or social obligations. However a person with dementia may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or appear to lose interest in hobbies. (credit:John Rensten via Getty Images)
Changes in Personality (02 of10)
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A person with dementia may seem different from his or her usual self in ways that are difficult to pinpoint. A person may become suspicious, irritable, depressed, apathetic or anxious and agitated especially in situations where memory problems are causing difficulties. (credit:fStop Images - Carl Smith via Getty Images)
Mood Changes(03 of10)
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Everyone can become sad or moody from time to time. A person with dementia may become unusually emotional and experience rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. Alternatively a person with dementia may show less emotion than was usual previously. (credit:Mike Chick via Getty Images)
Misplace Things (04 of10)
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Anyone can temporarily misplace his or her wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in unusual places such as an iron in the fridge or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. (credit:Oli Kellett via Getty Images)
Problems With Keeping Track of Things (05 of10)
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A person with dementia may find it difficult to follow a conversation or keep up with paying their bills. (credit:Chris Red via Getty Images)
Increasingly poor Judgement(06 of10)
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People with dementia may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers of clothes on a warm day or very few on a cold day. (credit:Jessica Peterson via Getty Images)
Distortion of Time and Place (07 of10)
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We sometimes forget the day of the week or where we are going but people with dementia can become lost in familiar places such as the road they live in, forget where they are or how they got there, and not know how to get back home. A person with dementia may also confuse night and day. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Problems With Language(08 of10)
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Occasionally everyone has trouble finding the right word but a person with dementia often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making speech or writing hard to understand. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks(09 of10)
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People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not think about how to do them. A person with dementia may not know in what order to put clothes on or the steps for preparing a meal. (credit:Anthony Harvie via Getty Images)
Memory Loss(10 of10)
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Declining memory, especially short-term memory, is the most common early symptom of dementia. People with ordinary forgetfulness can still remember other facts associated with the thing they have forgotten. For example, they may briefly forget their next-door neighbour's name but they still know the person they are talking to is their next-door neighbour. A person with dementia will not only forget their neighbour's name but also the context. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation via Getty Images)