Our September 12 report here at Designer Brain blog cited the number of Alzheimer's cases at 24 million worldwide (based on British scientists' prediction published in 2005), but the Alzheimer's Disease International report released Monday pegged the figure to a staggering 34 million. The same group predicts the number of cases to reach 35.6 million by next year.

Named after Alois Alzheimer, the German physician who first described it in 1906, Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease. It is the most common form of dementia. In poorer countries, dementia is considered a normal part of aging. This further makes early detection an issue.

World Alzheimer Report, as reported by YahooHealth, states that without a medical breakthrough, dementia cases will almost double every 20 years. "It recommends major new investments in research to uncover what causes dementia and how to slow, if not stop, the creeping brain disease that gradually robs sufferers of their memories and ability to care for themselves, eventually killing them."

A cure for Alzheimer's Disease still has to be found. Some drugs have been developed but the most they can do is temporarily lessen the symptoms. Scientists are still baffled with the true nature and cause/s of this incurable disease.