Without an effective treatment, the cumulative costs of caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States could top $20 trillion over the next 40 years, according to a new report from the Alzheimer’s Association, called "Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease: A National Imperative

– By the year 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease will climb from roughly 5.1 million today to an estimated 13.5 million.

– If that happens, annual costs would also rise—from $172 billion to more than $1 trillion.

– Costs to Medicare will jump by more than 600% to $627 billion per year. That compares to $88 billion today. Meanwhile, Medicaid costs will soar to $178 billion, up from the current $34 billion, according to the report.