Neurology Specialist Dr. Ömür Atacan Atasoy emphasized that neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia are generally known to be more common in elderly individuals, but noted that the incidence of these diseases among young people has been increasing:
“However, in recent years, it is a worrying reality that these diseases have been rising among younger populations. Alzheimer’s is typically a progressive brain disease that begins in individuals over the age of 65 and is characterized by memory loss. Yet, in recent years, Alzheimer’s cases have been observed to increase among middle-aged and even younger individuals.
The main causes of this include genetic factors, stress, irregular eating habits, and environmental influences. On the other hand, dementia is a neurological condition frequently seen among younger and middle-aged individuals. This disease, which results from the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissues and damaging nerve cells, can appear at a younger age and progress over time. Environmental factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle also play a role in the increase of dementia cases among young people.”