Dementia is a syndrome characterized by deterioration in cognition, resulting in impairment in the activities of daily living. Cognitive decline occurs in one or more cognitive domains.[1]
The incidence of dementia doubles with every 6.3 year increase in age, from 3.9 per 1000 person-years at age 60-64, to 104.8 per 1000 person-years at age 90 and over.[2]
The global number of individuals living with dementia increased from 20.2 million in 1990, to 58.7 million in 2020.[3] [4] The number of people estimated to be living with dementia in 2050 is 152.8 million people.[5] Dementia was the seventh leading cause of death globally in 2019, accounting for 1.6 million deaths.[6]
In the US, 4% of adults ages 65 years and older reported a dementia diagnosis in 2022.[7] Socially disadvantaged groups, including Black people, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, are particularly at risk.[8] [9]
The majority of cases of dementia have degenerative and vascular causes.[10] Other causes include infections, inflammatory diseases, neoplasm, toxic insults, metabolic disorders, and trauma.
