A BOURNEMOUTH University researcher has blamed 'modern life' for causing a sharp rise in early deaths from brain diseases.

Professor Colin Pritchard believes mobile phones, pollution, microwaves and chemicals in food are among 'environmental triggers' causing people to suffer dementia earlier than ever before, with an alarming number of under-55s affected.

In their latest research published in Public Health Journal, Professor Pritchard and BU researcher Dr Andrew Mayers, along with the University of Southampton’s Professor David Baldwin, found a sharp rise in deaths from dementia and other neurological disease in the under-74s.

They believe the 'hidden epidemic' is down to social changes.

According to World Health Organisation statistics, out of the 10 biggest western countries, the UK had the fourth largest increase in all neurological deaths between 1979 and 2010.

There has been a rise from 4,500 to 6,500 deaths with 48 per cent more women’s deaths and men’s deaths up by 32 per cent.

Commenting on the study’s findings, Professor Pritchard said: “These statistics are about real people and families, and we need to recognise that there is an ‘epidemic’ that clearly is influenced by environmental and societal changes.

“That people suffer more brain diseases, and from young ages, is illustrated by the creation of two new charities, The Young Parkinson’s Society and Young Dementia UK – which would have been inconceivable 30 years ago.”

He added: “Whilst there will be some influence of more elderly people, it does not account for the earlier onset.

“Considering the changes over the last 30 years – the explosion in electronic devices, rises in background non-ionising radiation, road and air transport up fourfold, increasing background chemical pollution, chemical additives to food, etc there is no one factor, rather the likely interaction between all these environmental triggers.”