‘Younger Elderly’ Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s More Quickly

Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By age 85, the likelihood of developing the neurological disorder is roughly 50 percent. However, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say AD hits hardest among the “younger elderly” — those in their 60s and 70s — who show faster rates of brain tissue loss and cognitive decline than AD patients who are 80 years and older.

The findings could have profound implications for diagnosing AD, which currently afflicts an estimated 5.6 million Americans — a number that is predicted to triple by 2050. It also may impact efforts to discover new treatments. There is no cure for AD, and existing therapies do not slow or stop the disease’s progression. The study results appear in the Aug. 2, 2012, issue of the journal PLOS One. For more information, click here to read the full release.