TOPLINE The number of adults worldwide with dementia could rise from about 57.4 million in 2019 to 152.8 million by 2050, driven by factors like midlife obesity, smoking and social isolation, according to a study published Thursday by the Lancet. Risk factors for dementia also include hypertension, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, head injury, exposure to air pollution and low education, researchers said. Globally, there will be 83.2 million adults with dementia in 2030 and 116 million in 2040, researchers estimated. CONTRA Researchers are exploring vaccines or treatments for Alzheimer’s, the disease that causes 60-70% of all dementia cases, according to WHO estimates. FURTHER READING “Number of adults with dementia to exceed 150m by 2050, study finds” (Guardian) By Zachary Snowdon Smith, Forbes Staff

Source: Forbes January 09, 2022 00:58 UTC