High risks of brain illness over age 45

HALF of women and a third of men will be struck down by dementia, Parkinson’s or a stroke after reaching 45, a study warns.

Researchers tracked 12,000 volunteers over that age over 26 years.

Men were at higher risk of having a stroke at younger ages than women, Dutch university Erasmus MC’s study found.

But women were twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia and strokes.

The research indicated measures such as eating a Mediterranean diet could “substantially” cut the risk.

Dr James Pickett, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s never too late to start.”