New dementia cases worldwide are projected to more than double over the next quarter-century, according to a meta-analysis of 22 cohort studies. The analysis estimated 11.4 million new cases in 2023, rising to 24.7 million per year by 2050. The findings appeared in JAMA Neurology, as reported by MedPage Today.
These numbers represent a significant increase in the global burden of dementia, though the report does not break down regional or demographic factors. The projection is based on pooled cohort data rather than a single population study.
Other items in the same neurology roundup were unrelated to the dementia estimate. They included a phase III trial of an investigational Parkinson's drug, a study linking physical activity to slower Parkinson's progression, and an experiment on acetaminophen's effects on brain organoids. No direct connection between these findings and the dementia projection was reported.