Fear of Alzheimer's world epidemic

The number of people suffering from Alzheimer's could treble by 2050, experts warned today.

Scientists fear a world epidemic in the disease could be far worse than predicted, bringing devastating economic consequences.

Research, based on US Census data, shows ageing populations could suf fer a thre e - fold increase in sufferers.

Meanwhile, Britain's Alzheimer's Society predicts a 150 per cent rise in cases of the brain disorder over the next 50 years, taking the number affected from 700,000 to 1.5 million.

Globally, one person in 10 over the age of 60 has Alzheimer's.