Inside China’s assault on Alzheimer’s
China’s ageing population means that something like 66 million people could be living with dementia there by 2050 — an estimate that is driving the country to push research forward. Scientists have been working on new drugs and innovative — if controversial — surgical techniques. The government has also encouraged the development of treatments derived from traditional Chinese medicine. And researchers are accelerating the search for biological markers that precede the onset of Alzheimer’s disease to help identify it earlier.
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AI Overview:
Driven by a rapidly aging population and a projected 66 million people living with dementia by 2050, China is accelerating its assault on Alzheimer’s. The country is investing in new drug development, controversial surgical techniques, and traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers are also intensifying the search for early biological markers to enable earlier diagnosis. 
Key Initiatives and Challenges:
- Massive Burden: Dementia cases in China could hit 66 million by 2050, or even up to 115 million by some estimates.
- Diverse Research Approaches: Projects include developing conventional drugs, exploring controversial surgical interventions, and utilizing traditional Chinese medicine.
- Early Detection: Intense focus is placed on finding biomarkers that appear years before symptom onset.
- Preventive Measures: Researchers are looking into lifestyle interventions, such as the potential role of Chinese ink painting and tea drinking for prevention.
- Rapid Aging Factor: The rapid increase in individuals over 60 and, particularly, those over 85, is driving this urgent, large-scale research effort.
Nature +4
This concerted effort aims to combat the significant health and economic challenges posed by the rising dementia, which has tripled in cases over the last 30 years
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