How many people are affected by Alzheimers disease?
Studies have shown that the greatest known risk for developing Alzheimer’s is increasing age. As many as 10 percent of people 65 years of age and older have Alzheimer’s, and nearly 50 percent of people 85 and older have the disease. A family history of the disease is another known risk. Having a parent or sibling with the disease increases an individual’s chances of developing Alzheimer’s. Scientists have identified three genes that cause rare, inherited forms of the disease that tend to occur before age 65. Investigations of these genes have provided important clues about the biology of Alzheimer’s. Researchers have also identified one gene that raises the risk of the more common form of Alzheimer’s that affects older people. • What are the warning signs? The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of warning signs that include common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (some also apply to other dementias). Individuals who exhibit several of these symptoms should see a physician for
