One third of people born in 2015 will have dementia, study reveals

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Dementia affects about 35.6 billion people all over the world and according to a new British study, it seems that the number will increase as researchers predict that one out of three people born this year will be diagnosed with or develop dementia.

Reuters reports that according to a study conducted by the Office of Health Economics, funded by the Alzheimer's Research UK, this only shows that dementia should be considered a global crisis. Doing so will increase the efforts in searching and developing treatments for the disturbing brain-wasting condition. While life expectancy is predicted to rise, as age is one of the risk factors of Alzheimer's disease or any other forms of dementia, there is still no known cure for this condition.

Alzheimer's Research head of policy Dr. Matthew Norton shares that although advancement in medical science has made living longer possible, it would be best to ensure that these people can enjoy the increase in their life expectancy in good health. Dementia, like Alzheimer's, can result to memory loss, cognitive and behavioral changes, making patients unable to perform their daily activities.

The researchers were able to calculate the findings by using a mathematical formula that combines life expectancy with possible dementia occurrence based on age, The Independent UK writes. Through this method, the researchers are able to isolate the scale of future crisis that may be brought about by the aging population.

The findings state that about 27 percent of men and 37 percent of women who were born in 2015 will eventually experience or develop dementia. What more, these results may increase, as the study did not include people under the age of 60. Dr. Norton believes that in order to avoid the numbers revealed in the study, it is essential to have more research done for dementia or Alzheimer's. He further shares that it will be an investment to find new treatment for the cure and prevention of this huge medical challenge.

The study has been released in time for the recognition of World Alzheimer's Day, The Daily Mail UK adds. Several Alzheimer's organizations believe this will be a wake up call for the government in the UK and possibly, for the whole world to take this condition as a global issue. George McNamara from the Alzheimer's Society states that dementia is the biggest health problem in the UK. It has been costing a lot of patients money, at around £30,000 per person, which is more expensive than cancer or heart disease.