AD Prevalence Is Estimated to Rise to 15 Million by 2060

The prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the United States is expected to increase to 15 million people by 2060, according to the findings of a recent study. And there are currently no adequate primary or secondary prevention strategies being implemented.

Using a multistate model that incorporated biomarkers for preclinical AD, the researchers forecasted the prevalence of preclinical and clinical AD in the United States. Preclinical AD was defined as the presence of amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, or both. In addition, they evaluated the potential impact of primary and secondary preventions on this prevalence.
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The researchers estimated that the number of people living in the United States with clinical AD or AD-associated mild cognitive impairment would increase from approximately 6.08 million people in 2017 to 15 million people by 2060. In 2017, preclinical AD was prevalent in 46.7 million people. However, many individuals would not experience progression to the clinical stage of the disease during their lifetimes

Additionally, the researchers found that primary and secondary preventions for AD had differential impact on the future burden of the disease.

“Because large numbers of persons are living with preclinical AD, our results underscore the need for secondary preventions for persons with existing AD brain pathology who are likely to develop clinical disease during their lifetimes as well as primary preventions for persons without preclinical disease,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Brookmeyer R, Abdalla N, Kawas CH, Corrada MM. Forecasting the prevalence of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's disease in the United States [published online December 6, 2017]. Alzheimers Dement. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2017.10.009.