Dementia in Chinese populations: Current data and future research

Abstract

This review summarizes the literature on the prevalence and incidence rates of dementia in Chinese populations, including survey results outside mainland China. We identified 15 prevalence studies and five incidence studies. The studies consistently reported sharply increased prevalence and incidence rates of dementia with increasing age. As estimated, there are at least 6,464,040 dementia patients in mainland China alone and we expect the number to rise in the coming decades. It is clear that dementia will be a new epidemic of the 21st century without major public health policies and preventive measures that target at the disease. We urge more research and hope that we will be able to prevent dementia or at least delay the onset in the near future with evidence-based measures.

The Association between Mushroom Consumption and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Singapore

“…Promising results have been reported from a small scale clinical trial that used a specific type of mushroom (Yamabushitake) as the intervention [4]; however, more data are needed before a definitive conclusion can be drawn. We are aware that effective prevention may require multiple nutritional changes (for examples: homocysteinelowering B vitamins [24,25], tea and tea compounds [26,27], etc.) to achieve public health impact, but as a necessary first step the efficacy of each of the promising candidate should be assessed separately [27].…”

“…We are aware that effective prevention may require multiple nutritional changes (for examples: homocysteinelowering B vitamins [24,25], tea and tea compounds [26,27], etc.) to achieve public health impact, but as a necessary first step the efficacy of each of the promising candidate should be assessed separately [27]. Mushrooms or active ingredients from mushrooms, such as ET, represent potential interventions.…”

Tea drinking and cognitive function in oldest-old Chinese

“…We are also unable to determine the specific relationship between tea drinking and dementia risk. Given the rising tide of elderly persons with dementia in the coming decades (26) and the promising potential of tea drinking as a simple and cheap preventive measure, future cohort study with dementia incidence as the primary outcome is urgently needed.…”

Clinical characteristics and quality of life of older adults with cognitive impairment in Macao

“…Epidemiological studies found that the conversion rate from cognitive impairment to dementia ranged from 10% to 40% per year . Further, it may take at least 10 years from the start of dementia pathology before any clinically detectable symptoms appear . Therefore, early detection of and intervention in cognitive impairment are essential to delaying conversion to dementia—and to reduce the suffering faced by patients and the burden on families and society.…”