Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Almost 70,000 Kiwis are living with dementia today. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases of dementia in New Zealand. Almost 170,000 Kiwis are likely to be living with dementia by 2050. Four out of five New Zealanders know or have known someone living with dementia. Dementia impacts more women than men – around 30% higher.

Currently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and there is no definitive way to prevent it. However, researchers are exploring various methods for detecting the disease early on and slowing its progression. One of these methods is through the use of FDG PET/CT scans.