One third of people born this year will develop dementia

One in three people born this year will develop dementia. The Alzheimer’s Research UK charity has warned of a “looming national health crisis” as the population ages.

It called for greater efforts across the globe to 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. Early symptoms include problems with memory and thinking. Sufferers can experience difficulty with walking, balance and swallowing.

Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia. As people live longer than ever before, the numbers with dementia will rise.