Autoimmune conditions and dementia: What's the link?
Written by Tim Newman
Published: Thursday 2 March 2017
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A recent large-scale study concludes that individuals with autoimmune conditions may have an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. Although the effect size is relatively small, if the findings are replicated, they will have important clinical implications.
[Immune system in action]
Conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells might increase dementia risk.
Dementias are a range of conditions, the most prevalent of which is Alzheimer's. They are characterized by a progressive loss of memory function and other cognitive skills, eventually leading to an inability to perform everyday activities.
Currently, an estimated 47.5 million people are living with dementia, worldwide. Due to increasing lifespans, this figure is predicted to triple by the year 2050.
This steep rise in the number of cases is being referred to by some as a dementia epidemic, and for this reason, there is a great deal of focus on identifying the precise causes.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316129.php
