New thought-provoking study claims that the memory-robbing illness was surprisingly rare in ancient Greek and Roman times Dementia is likely a 'modern disease' because there are so few mentions of severe memory loss in ancient Greek and Roman medical texts, researchers have claimed regarding a thought-provoking new study.
Experts scoured writings from 2,000-2,500 years ago – the times of Aristotle, Galen and Cicero.
Ancient Greeks recognised ageing commonly brought memory issues, which would today be diagnosed as 'mild cognitive impairment'.
But there was no evidence of anything approaching a major loss of memory, speech and reasoning as caused by Alzheimer's or other types of dementia suffered by millions worldwide today.
Gerontologist Professor Caleb Finch, from the University of Southern California, said his findings bolster the idea that dementia is a disease of modern environments and lifestyles.