Why Focus on Aging?

As the population of older adults is increasing, so do considerations for their health needs. Age-associated nervous system diseases and conditions represent one of the leading causes of death at 1.64 million deaths in 2019 (WHO, 2020). According to Alzheimer's Disease International (2023), the estimated number of cases of people with dementia worldwide will be 139 million by the year 2050, compared to approximately 55 million today. This estimated three-fold increase drives researchers to investigate diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and work to promote healthy aging.

Two research units are dedicated to this pursuit at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, the Institute for Translational Research, and the Center for Healthy Aging. 

Learn more about this subject by browsing this guide: Institute of Translational Research, Center for Healthy Aging, Resources, Downloads & References.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

According to the definition from Medical Subject Headings (2021), Alzheimer's disease is described as:

A degenerative disease of the brain characterized by the insidious onset of dementia. Impairment of memory, judgment, attention span, and problem solving skills are followed by severe apraxias and a global loss of cognitive abilities. The condition primarily occurs after age 60.

For those serving as care-givers, patients, or healthcare providers for the disease, consider reviewing the resource page of this guide for helpful information and patient health resources. The following video from TEDed (2014), also provides an introduction to the subject.