The Impending Alzheimer’s Boom

Report predicts that 10 million baby boomers could develop Alzheimer’s in their lifetime

By Gregory Mone Posted 03.19.2008 at 11:26 am 5 Comments

Alzheimer's Brain A PET scan of the brain of a patient with Alzheimer's Disease National Institute of Aging

The Alzheimer’s Association released a report yesterday with some frightening estimates regarding the future of the brain-wasting disease. One out of every eight baby boomers are likely to develop Alzheimer’s at some point, and the disease is now the seventh deadliest in the country.

By 2010, there will be 500,000 new cases each year. By 2050, that number will jump to a million. This means the costs of caring for these patients are, naturally, going to jump dramatically.

The report suggests that the Medicare burden will jump from $91 billion spent on Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in 2005 to $189 billion by 2015. Which makes you think that the government is hustling to support researchers in search of a cure, or effective treatment, right? Not exactly. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the government has cut spending on the research. At the same time, other experts suggest that the Association’s numbers might be too aggressive.

Via Live Science

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5 Comments

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1hyplady

03/19/08 at 3:18 pm

"Aluminum is a widely recognized nerve toxin. It has been found in increased concentrations in all AD affected tissue. Recent scientific studies provide four independent lines of compelling evidence that implicate aluminum's role in the cause of AD." Reference Dr. Mercola website: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/

Foods cooked in aluminum, antiperspirants, antacids, and beer/soft drinks in aluminum cans are likely the culprit for the spike in Alzheimer's Disease.

I stopped using antiperspirants over 20 years ago. Haven't cooked in aluminum for at least that long and don't take antacids. Plus I drink beverages in glass bottles.

Needless to say, American's need to start doing research. I am constantly appalled at the # of people that consume a variety of foods and medications that do the body harm. It is time we started questioning a procedure, pill or food item before we blithely allow ourselves to become ill at our own expense and ignorance.

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daq

03/19/08 at 6:56 pm

1hyplady,
Can I borrow your tin foil hat some time?

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RDZombie

03/21/08 at 2:33 pm

daq, just because you are a dimwit doesnt make phlady crazy. everything he said is true. now go jam your head back up your ass with the rest of the country

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quatra

04/06/08 at 9:15 pm

According to the conspiracy theories, governments are convinced that there are too many people on this world.
Maybe that's why "...you think that the government is hustling to support researchers in search of a cure, or effective treatment, right? Not exactly."

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quasi44

08/09/09 at 11:17 pm

While I am not quite as far down the dementia road as some, I would like to see included in any "universal health plan" a serious database compiled on all of us to build the informative basis for CURING this and other debilitating illnesses. The benefits would begin to pay for itself in 5 years, with earlier diagnosis and intervention. Or, in 5 years, we can have what? 20 million people, just with this, and no gains other than that of hunt and peck invention that Might Work. When my kids become at risk for Early Onset Dementia, they will be looking at 100 million Americans with it. One in 8 people...not elderly, but just people. How are we gonna cope then? Whatever the number is exactly is Not important. The idea that right now many people are in the earliest stages and Do Not Know It is. These people, many of the highest levels of competence, could be able to perform in the workplace longer. That alone is worth the cost.