As every year, the month of September is dedicated to raising awareness about senile dementia and, in particular, about Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia (50-60% of all cases). In particular, World Alzheimer's Day (September 21st), established in 1994, aims to spread initiatives dedicated to knowledge about the disease on a global level.
Let's start with some data. Every year the percentage of senile dementia cases grows, but 75% of cases don't have an official diagnosis. Added to this terrifying data is the awareness that 47% of patients don't have access to qualified doctors. Consider these estimates knowing that, currently, there are 55 million people with dementia worldwide: in other words, a number almost equal to the population of Italy.
Regarding Alzheimer's disease specifically, even today the diagnosis of the disease remains difficult for several reasons: in addition to the lack of qualified personnel and, often, the necessary tools, there are factors such as fear of diagnosis and the cost of treatment.
Meanwhile, the greatest hopes come from the field of research. Just in recent days, promising news has arrived regarding early diagnosis: a new possible biomarker has been identified for Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy Body dementia, which would therefore have a common molecular mechanism. This result was announced by the Instituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli in Brescia.
So let's continue to rely on research, our most precious resource, but let's never forget the importance of information and prevention: simple acts of spreading awareness can truly change the lives of many people!
