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Impact of interventions to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathology on the prevalence of dementia in the oldest‐old
Author(s) -
Brookmeyer Ron,
Kawas Claudia H.,
Abdallah Nada,
PaganiniHill Annlia,
Kim Ronald C.,
Corrada María M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.01.004
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , psychological intervention , gerontology , disease , alzheimer's disease , intervention (counseling) , public health , pediatrics , psychiatry , pathology
The number of persons aged >90 years will grow significantly in coming decades. This group has the highest rates of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Using The 90+ Study, we developed a statistical model for dementia risk based on brain pathologies. Intervention scenarios which reduce or eliminate AD pathology were considered, and the numbers of dementia cases among the U.S. oldest‐old that could be prevented were estimated. Results The U.S. dementia prevalence among the oldest‐old will increase from 1.35 million in 2015 to 4.72 million in 2050. If interventions eliminate AD pathology, dementia prevalence would be reduced by approximately 50%, averting nearly 2.4 million cases in 2050. However, large numbers of dementia cases would still remain. Discussion Reducing AD pathology would significantly decrease the public health burden of dementia. However, other interventions are needed to address the burden associated with other dementing pathologies prevalent in the oldest‐old.