It is estimated that one in six women and one in ten men are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in their lifetime.
According to the latest findings from the Alzheimer’s Association, the disease is expected to affect ten million baby boomers in the US, while experts predict there will be almost half a million new cases of the disease by 2010.
At present there are no effective disease-modifying treatments that stop or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Harry Johns, the president and chief executive officer of the Association, commented: "The information in the 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures makes it clear the Alzheimer crisis cannot be ignored – not when ten million baby boomers are at risk for developing this fatal disease.
"Unchecked, this disease will impose staggering consequences on families, the economy and the nation’s health and long-term care infrastructure."
He added: "We have the opportunity to change the trajectory of this disease now. Today’s scientific landscape is rich with possible disease-modifying treatments."
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that although death rates have declined for most major diseases, the number of deaths resulting from Alzheimer’s continues to grow.
