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Researchers predict that the number of people with Alzheimer's disease will triple in the next 40 years, according to a new study.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal Neurology, consisted of data from

10,802 people ages 65 and older living in Chicago between 1993 and 2011. Participants were either African American or Caucasian and were interviewed and assessed for dementia every three years. The study also factored in the participants' age, ethnicity and level of education.

Researchers combined the data from the study with the US death rates, education and current and future population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau and found that the total number of people with Alzheimer's dementia in 2050 is likely to be 13.8 million, almost three times more than the 4.7 million Alzheimer's patients in 2010.

Researchers also estimate that in 2050, around 7 million of Alzheimer's patients would be at least 85 years old.

"This increase is due to an aging baby boom generation. It will place a huge burden on society, disabling more people who develop the disease, challenging their caregivers, and straining medical and social safety nets," researcher Jennifer Weuve, an assistant professor from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said in a news release. "Our study draws attention to an urgent need for more research, treatments and preventive strategies to reduce this epidemic."

Researchers said that even though the latest study consisted on the most up-to-date data, the findings are similar to projections made years ago.

"All of these projections anticipate a future with a dramatic increase in the number of people with Alzheimer's and should compel us to prepare for it," Weuve said.