ISLAMABAD: With the average age of the world’s population rising, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia will become a major health concern in the coming years.

To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day observed on September 21, a seminar was organised where neurologists converged to raise awareness of the disease.

Speaking at the event, Consultant Neurologist Prof Arsalan Ahmad said Alzheimer’s disease mainly affected those above the age of 65 with the onslaught of symptoms doubling every five years.

“Early diagnosis and early treatment is the only way the disease can be controlled,” he said, adding that “at present 35.6 million people across the globe are affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s, and it is expected that the number will increase to 65.7 million by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050.”

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Wahab Yousafzai said: “Eighty to Ninety per cent of the patients develop at least one distressing symptom in the early course of their dementia,” he said.

Neurologist Dr Azhar Saeed explained to the audience that the onset of Alzheimer’s began with short-term memory loss.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2014