12 Signs You Could Have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Updated: Mar. 30, 2021
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease starts before age 65. Here, doctors reveal the telltale signs to watch for.
Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
You’ve probably heard the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” used interchangeably. But, before you’re able to recognize the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s, you need to be able to tell the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s. Here’s a quick recap: Dementia is an overarching term for mental decline (including loss of memory, language skills, and thinking abilities) that could be caused by many diseases and conditions, whereas Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Often, Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be a condition that affects the elderly, but it can also impact people under age 65, which is known as early-onset. According to the Alzheimer’s Society Canada, about 16,000 Canadians in their 40s and 50s have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. That said, how can you tell if someone has simple forgetfulness or early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?
We spoke with medical experts who reveal the telltale signs.
You’re extremely forgetful
Memory loss is the most common symptom of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It’s typically one of the first signs that something is wrong. Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s—which are similar to those that appear in other cases of the condition—usually start when people are in their 40s or 50s, but memory loss is also a normal part of aging. “We don’t want to worry people that when they can’t remember a name or a word, that they’re on their way to Alzheimer’s,” says Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. “As we get older, our brain isn’t as good. Wear and tear, and inflammation, affect the brain much like it affects our joints.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, memory issues that reflect normal aging include things like not being able to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago, or not being able to remember the name of an acquaintance. But signs of a cognitive problem might be not being able to recall details of recent events or conversations, or not recognizing or knowing the names of family members. (For early detection, here are some other early signs of Alzheimer’s disease to watch out for.)
You’re misplacing things—all the time
Everyone misplaces things from time to time—cell phone, glasses, keys. The difference in people who might have early-onset Alzheimer’s or another cognitive problem is that these losses happen more frequently, and they’re unable to retrace their steps or think of where to look for the lost item. For example, if your car keys are in your other purse, it’s probably no big deal. But if they turn up in the refrigerator, it could be cause for concern. (Try these memory exercises to keep your brain sharp.)
Repeating yourself
People with early-onset Alzheimer’s (or late-onset) may repeat statements and questions over and over, not realizing that they’ve asked the same question before, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. “The time to get worried,” says Elise Caccappolo, PhD, director of the neuropsychology service and associate professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University Medical Center, “is when people repeat themselves within a very short time span.” An example would be if someone asks when a friend is coming to visit, gets told the answer, and then asks the same question a few minutes later without remembering that he or she had already inquired.
Your sleep habits change
Many people with Alzheimer’s have difficulty sleeping, waking up more often, and staying awake longer during the night. Changes in sleep that might indicate early-onset Alzheimer’s include daytime napping and/or feeling drowsy during the day but being unable to sleep at night. (Plus, these other sleep habits can raise your risk of Alzheimer’s.)
You have trouble completing everyday tasks
“As a general rule, what I tell people is that as we age, many of us will experience the phenomenon of slower processing speed,” explains Pierre Tariot, MD, director of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute in Phoenix. “We can’t manage complex intellectual challenges as quickly as we did in our youth.” Multitasking may become more difficult, doing mathematical calculations in your head may take more time. But according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, someone with early dementia may find it impossible to do everyday tasks that once were easy. If someone used to be a gourmet cook and now has difficulty following a complex recipe, that can be a red flag, too.
You feel confused
All of us occasionally forget an appointment, get lost when going somewhere new, or briefly think it’s Tuesday when actually it’s Wednesday. But a possible sign of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is, say, forgetting the route to the supermarket where you shop weekly. People with the disease may have trouble understanding something if it isn’t happening immediately, and may sometimes forget where they are or how they got there. “You shouldn’t have confusion about where you are or what day it is from normal aging,” says Caccappolo.
Feeling depressed, or a personality shift
Up to 40 percent of people with Alzheimer’s experience depression, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. “People with Alzheimer’s who are depressed tend to be apathetic and irritable and to have sleep disturbances, but they are less likely to feel guilty or have a risk of suicide than depressed people without Alzheimer’s.” Other changes in personality that might indicate early-onset Alzheimer’s include mood swings, anxiety, aggression, anger, fear, suspicion, and loss of inhibitions.
Making poor decisions
Nobody is perfect, and we all make bad choices on occasion. But people with early-onset Alzheimer’s may have poor judgment and start making bad decisions with greater consequences. They may spend money indiscriminately or even give it away; they could stop taking care of themselves (not showering regularly, for example).
Trouble speaking or writing clearly
People with signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble participating in a conversation or writing down their thoughts. Most people will occasionally pause to search for the right word and eventually remember it. But someone with signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease may experience the problem frequently, substitute an inappropriate word for the one they can’t remember, or be unable to continue speaking because they don’t know what to say. (Also, keep in mind that women are at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s.)
Losing interest in work and socializing
It’s normal to wish you could work fewer hours or spend more time with your family. But withdrawing from work projects or social activities you used to enjoy—for instance, losing interest in a sports team you once followed religiously—could be a sign of early Alzheimer’s disease and depression. A feeling of apathy or a loss of interest in once favourite hobbies is also a sign, suggests the Alzheimer’s Association.
Friends and relatives are concerned
People with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease may not recognize their decline—but those closest to them could notice changes. “If a loved one expresses concern, says that you seem really different, is worried that something is going on, that’s a legitimate basis for a medical evaluation,” says Dr. Tariot. Don’t dismiss these concerns, since they may be the key to getting an early diagnosis, along with early treatment that perhaps can slow the progression of cognitive changes.
You have a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s
This is the biggest risk factor. “Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease has a very strong genetic component,” explains Stephen Rao, PhD, a neuropsychologist, chair and director of the Schey Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging at the Cleveland Clinic. “If your parent or another close relative had early-onset, you should probably be tested—neuropsychologically tested, but also genetically tested, as there are some definitive genetic markers.”
The good news is that early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is much rarer than late-onset. Most people worried about memory and other cognitive issues before age 65 are probably just experiencing normal aging changes. And when there is some cognitive impairment, it’s likely to be due to reasons other than early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, such as medical conditions, emotional problems like depression or stress, sleep impairment, or medication side effects.
Next, read up on the healthy habits that’ll boost your brain health.
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