Alzheimer's more widespread in over 85s than once thought, study finds

Alzheimer's is more widespread in people over the age of 85 than previously thought, a unique study suggests.

And more than one in ten over the age of 70 would meet the criteria for drugs to slow early stages of the disease.

Researchers also found that ADNC (Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes) 'was more prevalent in individuals with lower education'.

Some 11,486 blood samples, from people over the age of 57 in Norway, were analysed by researchers at King's College London, Stavanger University Hospital and University of Gothenburg.

They looked for the frequency of proteins in the blood that have been linked to cognitive impairment.

It was higher in older people but lower than previously estimated in the younger groups.

Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.
Symptom Checklist

ADNC was present in fewer than 8 per cent of those aged 65 to 69, increasing to 65.2 per cent in patients over 90.

In people over 70, the study found 10 per cent had pre-clinical Alzheimer's, which has no symptoms, while 9.8 per cent had Alzheimer's dementia.

Dag Aarsland, a professor at King's, said: 'It is vital that we are able to detect signs of dementia at the earliest possible stages. This blood test looks to be an effective means of providing that clarity at scale.'

Dr Richard Oakley, from Alzheimer's Society, said: 'This is the first time we've seen this type of data from such a large group of people.'