Aging brain - a global disaster, warns New York Times

- Mon, 3 Sep 2007

The rising incidence of brain aging diseases like Alzheimer's is "a train wreck to come on societies all over the world," warns the New York Times. It reports that in the US alone, one in 10 people over 65 and nearly half of people over 85 currently suffer from full-blown Alzheimer's. Taking care of them costs the US government $100 million a year while a staggering $1 billion is being spent on prescription drugs aimed at treating Alzheimer's - even though there is no known pharmaceutical cure.

Worse is to come as the global population ages. The New York Times estimates that in the US there will be as many as 16 million sufferers by 2050. Not surprisingly, pharmaceutical companies are in a worldwide race to come up with that a chemical cure. Drug giant Wyeth has 23 separate projects aimed at developing new treatments, while hundreds of other research projects are underway.

And yet, while drug companies spend billions searching for a cure in a bottle, a proven preventative treatment already exists.  Brain exercises and brain health programs, like the scientifically-developed exercises and programs offered by HeadStrong Cognitive Fitness, have been proven to stave off dementia and Alzheimer's disease. By starting now to regularly practise brain-training exercises, anyone aged from their forties onwards, can help to ensure that they don't become a health statistic and that they stay mentally alert and healthy throughout old age.

For the full New York Times story click here:
Zen and the Art of Coping With Alzheimer's