Brains of People Born Between 1946 and 1964 Could Reveal Secrets of Dementia

One in three elderly Britons suffer from dementia. Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia. The brains of baby boomers, those born between the years 1946 and 1964, could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of dementia, suggest scientists. A research team has begun scanning the brains of 500 members of Britain's longest running birth cohort study, as part of efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The study subjects were all born in the same week in March 1946 and their physical and mental health has been closely monitored since birth.

Scientists said, "The wealth of data already held means the study could provide invaluable insights into the progress of dementia, revealing the first signs of disease and pinpointing the risk factors behind it."

Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said, "These kinds of studies are almost impossible to start from scratch, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain insights into dementia from the world's longest running birth cohort study."

Source-IANS