One in three people born this year will develop dementia, according to new figures.
The Alzheimer’s Research UK charity warned of a “looming national health crisis” as the population ages.
It called for greater efforts across the globe to help develop new treatments.
Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK, resulting in the loss of brain cells. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease.
Early symptoms include problems with memory and thinking. As the disease progresses, people can experience difficulty with walking, balance and swallowing.
Alzheimer’s Research UK said age was the biggest risk factor for developing dementia.
As people live longer than ever before, the numbers with dementia will rise. The latest analysis, commissioned by the charity and carried out by the Office of Health Economics, was released to mark World Alzheimer’s Day.
