Experts say they have identified the tell-tale signs of dementia – with one describing the condition as a "time bomb" among the general population.
Researchers speaking to The Mirror say that improved life expectancy is also leading to a rise in the number of people with Alzheimer's or another form of the disease. More than one in 10 adults over the age of 65 have it in the US.
Dr Oscar Lopez, director of the University of Pittsburgh's Alheimer's Disease Research Centre, said: "One thing you need to emphasise is that the prevalence of dementia in general in the population is huge. It's a time bomb. Because people are living longer. From the neck down we're in really good shape. Because we can deal with heart problems very easily but the brain is still at risk of dementia. Especially Alzheimer's."
