Younger onset dementia and memory disorders on the rise

Younger people are increasingly being diagnosed with dementia and Sydney researchers are undertaking the first known Australian study to investigate the rise.

Younger onset dementia is defined as dementia with symptom onset before the age of 65 years.

“We’re keen to get comprehensive Australian information. It seems odd that we have to continuously resort to overseas research upon which to base our estimates of Australian cases,” says lead researcher, Conjoint Professor Brian Draper from UNSW’s School of Psychiatry.

Preliminary research has identified 141 people in the eastern suburbs of Sydney with younger onset dementia. Those patients had a range of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, brain infections, head injuries and problems with alcohol, as well as Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

These early findings suggest that as many as one in 750 Australians may be affected. Previously published international data estimated the number at one in 1,000 people.

“Younger onset dementia has become an increasing public concern because more people are being diagnosed and their needs are not being adequately met by existing services that are more geared towards older people,” Professor Draper says.

It is likely that the increase in cases is at least partially a result of the high number of Australians in the baby boomer generation now aged 45 to 65, he says.

(Source: UNSW Australia)

More information

For more information on dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, information for carers of dementia patients and supportive care, as well as some useful tools and videos, see Dementia.