DELHI-NCR / September 16, 2025: Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a growing concern in India as population ages. Over 8.8 million people are living with dementia in the country today, with Alzheimer’s accounting for 60-70% of these. The highest prevalence is found in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. With life expectancy going up, more people are reaching the age where Alzheimer’s becomes common, typically after 60. Awareness regarding Alzheimer’s is still limited, due to which it often remains undiagnosed or is mistaken for normal symptoms of ageing. This was said by Dr Kunal Bahrani, clinical director – neurology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, ahead of the World Alzheimer's Day. Said Dr Kunal Bahrani: “Cases of Alzheimer’s have been rising steadily zdue to factors such as ageing population and urban lifestyle changes including sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, stress, and lack of physical activity. Diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which are also becoming more common, increase the risk. India is expected to see a sharp increase in Alzheimer’s cases over the next 10 to 20 years. By 2036, the number of dementia patients, mainly Alzheimer’s, are expected to double from 8.8 million now, mainly due to the growing population of older adults.” Dr. Kunal Bahrani stressed that early detection and lifestyle interventions can slow progression of the disease and reduce its overall burden. The next 20 years will be crucial for planning and allocating resources, training medical personnel, and educating the masses about the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s, he said. Talking about the risk factors, Dr. Kunal Bahrani said: “People over 60 are most susceptible, with the risk increasing every decade thereafter. Those with close relatives who had Alzheimer’s also have a higher likelihood. Sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, smoking, excessive alcohol, and chronic stress contribute to the risk, along with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Additionally, mental inactivity, such as lack of social engagement and minimal mental stimulation, can also accelerate risk.” The doctor added that younger people, usually between 40 to 60 years of age, can also develop a rare form of the disease, called early-onset Alzheimer’s. Although it is less common, it can be more aggressive and progress faster than typical Alzheimer’s. “Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s can be subtle. Younger patients can often suffer from memory lapses, difficulty at work, or problems managing daily tasks before age 60. Because it is rare in younger people, such symptoms get mistaken for stress, depression, or burnout. If memory problems or cognitive changes are noticed, even in someone under 60, medical evaluation is important to rule out Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions,” said Dr. Kunal Bahrani. The doctor busted several myths regarding Alzheimer’s. He said: “The first and foremost myth is the perception that memory loss is just normal aging. While memory lapses are common with age, Alzheimer’s is much more severe and progressive. Another myth is that only the elderly get Alzheimer’s. However, while rare, early-onset Alzheimer’s can also affect people in their 40s or 50s. There is also a common belief that if one has Alzheimer’s, nothing much can be done. While it is true that there’s no cure yet, treatment and lifestyle changes can slow progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Families often misunderstand Alzheimer’s as just forgetfulness, not realizing that it deeply affects patient’s behavior, judgment, and daily life.” Recent advances in Alzheimer’s care focus on earlier diagnosis and disease-modifying therapies. “Functional MRI and other brain scans, aided by AI, can now detect connectivity changes years before symptoms appear. On the treatment front, FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies target amyloid plaques, slowing cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s. These therapies mark a shift from symptomatic management to directly modifying disease progression,” said Dr. Kunal Bahrani.