ABSTRACT
In 2050, the number of older people in the world will surpass the number of younger people for the first time in history (United Nations, 2002). Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an illness of the aging population and is currently one of the leading causes of death. It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 60% to 80% of cases (Alzheimer’s Association, 2010). An estimated 35.6 million people worldwide are living with AD and other types of dementias, a number expected to almost double every 20 years (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010). The annual worldwide costs of dementia are estimated to be US$604 billion (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2010). This progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder is steadily leading to a public health crisis in developed countries around the world.
