The Dementia Plague by Stephen S. Hall. Technology Review--Published by MIT. October 5, 2012.
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia threaten to become a healthcare disaster. At present, estimates hold that 36 million people worldwide suffer from dementia and by 2030 the figure will be 70 million. By 2050 the total world population at risk for dementia is estimated to be two billion. Costs to U.S. society in 2050 is estimated to be $1 trillion dollars.
The emerging picture of dementia is much broader than Alzheimer's including "mixed dementias" which includes mini-strokes as well Alzheimer's associated with amyloid plaque. This complex picture has resulted in frustratingly slow scientific and clinical progress which is traced in this article.
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