Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of premature senility, and everyone with a brain is at risk for developing it. Today, 5.1 million of the 5.3 million Americans that have Alzheimer’s are over age 65. Barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease, that number is estimated to increase by 40 percent by 2025.
Early Alzheimer’s Indicators
Although current medications cannot prevent or cure the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, some may delay the worsening of symptoms for a limited period of time. Most are more effective in the early stages of the disease. This makes it doubly important to keep an eye out for the following 10 signs of early Alzheimer’s:
Memory Loss
Occasionally forgetting where you put your keys shouldn’t raise a red flag on its own, but if you also regularly forget important events, have difficulty recounting new experiences, or your functionality is affected by the misplacement of everyday items, this could be a sign of early Alzheimer’s.
Difficulty with daily tasks
When familiar things become difficult, such as driving to work, operating a household appliance, or remembering the rules of a familiar game, it may be a sign of early Alzheimer’s.
Misplaced items
If you misplace something and can retrace your steps to find it, this is not a sign of early Alzheimer’s. But if you find things in unusual places, such as the phone in the refrigerator or your car keys in the bathroom drawer, it could be a sign.
Stealing or other law-breaking activities
Behavioral changes at an advanced age can be a sign of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), which is another progressively damaging, age-related brain disorder. FTD is less common than Alzheimer’s in those over-65, but in the 45-65 age range, it’s nearly as common as early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Frequent falling
A research study of 125 older adults showed a correlation between frequent falling and the early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Mood changes
Irritability over a disruption in routine is a typical age-related change. But more significant changes in mood or personality that could be signs of early Alzheimer’s may include excessive confusion, suspicion, depression, fear, and anxiety.
Eating inappropriate things
Prior to their diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, some patients have been known to eat paper or other inedible objects. Doctors suspect that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect the brain’s ability to respond appropriately to hunger signals.
Inability to recognize sarcasm
One study found that Alzheimer’s and FTD patients were among those who couldn’t detect sarcasm in face-to-face encounters. Both diseases affect the brain’s hippocampus, which is where short-term memory is stored and where one would identify and distinguish sarcasm.
Unfocused staring
People with frequent mental lapses (staring off into space for extended periods of time, losing train of thought, or drowsiness) tend to have more severe Alzheimer’s symptoms and perform worse on memory and cognitive testing than people without such episodes.
Social withdrawal
Many of the symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease can make it more difficult to accomplish everyday tasks, and the confusion and frustration may cause embarrassment. This may be part of why people with early Alzheimer’s also withdraw and isolate from others and remove themselves from hobbies or other activities.
We’re dedicated to doing our part
Clinical trials are an important part of the race toward the discovery of better treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. At Synergy Research Centers, we’re currently conducting clinical research studies for Alzheimer’s disease. Transportation may also be available. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please call us or fill out the enrollment form.