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Neurologists are concerned on the rising rates of Alzheimer’s disease affecting across age-groups. On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day observed annually on September 21, with the theme as 'Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer's'.
Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a growing concern in India as population ages. Over 8.8 million people are living with dementia in the country today, with Alzheimer’s accounting for 60-70% of these.
The highest prevalence is found in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. With life expectancy going up, more people are reaching the age where Alzheimer’s becomes common, typically after 60. Awareness regarding Alzheimer’s is still limited, due to which it often remains undiagnosed or is mistaken for normal symptoms of ageing, said Dr Kunal Bahrani, clinical director, neurology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad.
According to Raksha Rajesh, clinical psychologist, RCI registered, Samarpana Foundation, “In India, people being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s is steadily climbing however the care remains patchy and underdeveloped. Most people are diagnosed late, with little access to cognitive rehabilitation or trained professionals, especially outside major cities, where clinical psychologists are already few in number.”
Families end up providing most of the care at home, often without guidance, leading to caregiver exhaustion that is rarely acknowledged. While support groups and NGOs are beginning to emerge, their reach and professional oversight remain limited. Moving forward, investment in early screening, neuropsychological assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and caregiver support is essential to create care that safeguards dignity and well-being, said she added.
Dr Bahrani stressed that early detection and lifestyle interventions can slow progression of the disease and reduce its overall burden. The next 20 years will be crucial for planning and allocating resources, training medical personnel, and educating the masses about the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s, he said.
The younger people, usually between 40 to 60 years of age, can also develop a rare form of the disease, called early-onset Alzheimer’s. Although it is less common, it can be more aggressive and progress faster than typical Alzheimer’s. “Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s can be subtle. Younger patients can often suffer from memory lapses, difficulty at work, or problems managing daily tasks before age 60. Because it is rare in younger people, such symptoms get mistaken for stress, depression, or burnout. If memory problems or cognitive changes are noticed, even in someone under 60, medical evaluation is important to rule out Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions,” said Dr. Bahrani.
Recent advances in Alzheimer’s care focus on earlier diagnosis and disease-modifying therapies. “Functional MRI and other brain scans, aided by AI, can now detect connectivity changes years before symptoms appear. On the treatment front, FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies target amyloid plaques, slowing cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s. These therapies mark a shift from symptomatic management to directly modifying disease progression,” said Dr Bahrani.
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