HC Deb 01 March 1989 vol 148 c228W
22. Dr. Moonie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate for the number of people with Alzheimer's disease in Scotland.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Alzheimer's disease is one of a number of degenerative brain disorders which occur in later life. It is not possible to give accurate estimates of the numbers of people with these conditions because of the very gradual onset of symptoms and changes in the diagnostic classifications as a result of research in this area. Recent studies have, however, suggested that between 112,000 and 160,000 people in Scotland may have dementia of varying severity in one form or another of whom between one half and two thirds may have Alzheimer's disease.