Alzheimer’s disease onset age drops to 45 in Iran: Health official
The President of the Iran Dementia and Alzheimer’s Association, Masoumeh Salehi, raised an alarming concern regarding the decreasing age of Alzheimer’s disease onset in the country.
In a recent visit by Ali Rabiei, Iranian president’s aide in social affairs, Salehi revealed that the association has identified 400 individuals aged 45 who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Salehi highlighted the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the elderly population, stating that the restrictions, social isolation, and stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic have contributed to a rise in dementia cases, particularly Alzheimer’s, both globally and in Iran, IRNA reported.
According to IRNA, Salehi emphasized the need for specialized support for Alzheimer’s patients. The association is working towards providing insurance coverage and support for these individuals.
She also announced plans to establish an imaging center and MRI facilities at the association’s premises and to set up neurology and psychiatry clinics to improve access to services for patients.
Ali Rabiei acknowledged Alzheimer’s as a noncontagious disease with irreversible consequences for patients.
He emphasized the importance of addressing social variables associated with noncontagious diseases and expressed his commitment to attending the association’s monthly meetings to collaboratively devise strategies for addressing the concerns of dementia patients, including those with Alzheimer’s.