Alzheimers

[FTVS]

i have just been reading that 'scientists' predict that the number of Alzheimers sufferers will treble in the near furture. A quick google indicates it's causes are not yet fully understood (excluding age). Is this prediction then merely a result of an ageing population?

[mikewall01]

Most diseases of the ageing brain start to increase between 65 years and 85 years of age. With todays increase in life expectancy, increase in environmental toxins and increased sophistication in medical diagnosis, Alzheimer's Disease has been brought to the fore front of the public's knowledge. So the three foregoing factors will all add to the increase in the number of people diagnosed with the disease.

[pezza.......]

This could be true but.........er I forgot what I was going to write....who am I?

[Graham-W]

As I understand it, Alzheimer's is caused by a build-up of acetochloroesterase (sp?) plates which block the neurotransmitters in the brain. There are drugs which can slow down this build-up once the disease is diagnosed. Research is ongoing to develop a drug to either stop the production of or remove the acetochloroesterase from the brain area.
There are other causes of dementia. Vascular, Lewes Body etc. which would need different treatment.