One in 20 cases of dementia occurs in people under 65

1 in 20 cases of dementia occurs in people under 65

Dementia is largely a disease of old age, but a new study finds that up to 5% of all cases are among people in the prime of their lives.

Looking at 95 international studies, researchers estimated that nearly 4 million people worldwide are living with young-onset —cases that strike between the ages of 30 and 64.

In the United States, an estimated 175,000 people have the condition, accounting for roughly 3% of all dementia cases nationwide.

In context, that means young-onset dementia is rare, said Dr. David Knopman, a neurologist who specializes in at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

But it’s important for people, including doctors, to be aware that dementia can…

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