What are the symptoms of early onset Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that typically starts in later life. Early onset Alzheimer’s disease occurs before the age of 65 years.
Alzheimer’s disease causes memory problems and a variety of related symptoms. It is a progressive condition, which means that the symptoms will get worse over time. It is the most common type of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease
most common
Experts believe that early onset Alzheimer’s disease accounts for fewer than 10% of all cases. It usually results from an inherited genetic feature. It most often appears when a person is in their 40s or 50s, but it can start in a person in their 30s.
10%
40s or 50s
There is currently no cure, but treatment may help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition.
In this article, we discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options associated with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Signs and symptoms
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The main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss, but other changes can occur. The symptoms can also resemble those of other types of dementia, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
The following are some common symptoms.
common symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is often memory loss. A person may start forgetting messages or recent events in a way that is unusual for them. They may repeat questions, having forgotten either the answer or the fact that they already asked.
memory loss
It is not uncommon for people to forget things as they get older, but with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, this happens earlier in life, occurs more often, and seems out of character.
The person could have difficulty completing an otherwise familiar task. For example, they may find it hard to:
difficulty completing
get to a grocery store, restaurant, or place of employment
follow the rules of a familiar game
prepare a simple meal
Sometimes, people need help with new or unfamiliar things as they get older, such as the settings on a new phone. However, this does not necessarily indicate a problem.
By contrast, if the person has used the same phone for years and suddenly cannot remember how to make a phone call, they may be experiencing Alzheimer’s disease-related memory loss.
The person may find that they have difficulty following directions, solving problems, and focusing. For example, they could find it difficult to:
following directions, solving problems, and focusing
follow a recipe
follow directions on a product
keep track of monthly bills or expenses
Some people often have problems like these, but if they start to happen when they did not happen before, it could indicate early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease can sometimes cause vision problems, making it difficult for people to judge distances between objects. The person may find it hard to distinguish contrast and colors or judge speed or distance.
vision problems
These vision problems combined can affect the person’s ability to drive.
Typical aging also affects eyesight, so it is essential to have regular checkups with an eye doctor.
The person may experience confusion about places or times. They could have difficulty keeping track of seasons, months, or times of day.
They may become confused in an unfamiliar place. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, they could feel confused in familiar places or question how they got there. They may also start to wander and get lost.
Most people will lose items at some time, but they are usually able to locate them again by searching in logical locations and retracing their steps.
However, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may forget where they placed an item, especially if they put it in an unusual place. They may also be unable to retrace their steps to find the missing item. This can be distressing and cause the person to believe that someone is stealing from them.
may forget
The person may also have difficulty with words and communication. They could find it hard to follow or contribute to a conversation, or they may repeat themselves. The person may also have difficulty writing down their thoughts.
They could stop in the middle of a conversation, unable to figure out what to say next. They may also struggle to find the right word, or label things incorrectly.
It is not uncommon for people to occasionally struggle to find the right word. Typically, they eventually remember it and do not experience the problem frequently.
The person could show a change in their ability to make good decisions. For example, they may start:
change in their ability
spending a long time doing unnecessary tasks
showing inattention to personal grooming, including washing
putting things away in unexpected places, such as storing keys in the refrigerator
Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may start to experience a change in mood. They can feel irritable, confused, anxious, or depressed. They may also lose interest in things they used to enjoy.
change in mood
They could become frustrated with their symptoms or feel unable to understand the changes taking place. This may present as aggression or irritability toward others.
As Alzheimer’s disease develops, the person may also stop participating in the social or work activities they used to enjoy.
Learn more about the behavioral differences between Alzheimer’s and typical aging below:
Diagnosis
If a person experiences one or more of the symptoms above, they should speak with a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis might help slow the progression of the condition.
There is currently no definitive test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, so a doctor will base the diagnosis on the observable symptoms. They may try:
no definitive test
asking the person some questions, such as where they live, and assessing the responses
talking with family members to find out what behaviors the person is showing
considering the person’s personal and family medical history
doing some tests to rule out other possible causes, such as blood tests and brain imaging
Causes
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease most likely stems from genetic factors, according to Genetics Home Reference.
Genetics Home Reference
Some people are born with genetic changes in specific genes and develop early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease. The changes cause the brain to produce toxic proteins that build up in the brain, forming clumps known as amyloid plaques.
The genes pass from one generation to the next in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that a person only needs to inherit one copy of the altered gene from a parent to develop the condition. Often, the parent has the same condition.
Others do not have these changes, and it is unknown why some people develop the condition, but other genes may be involved.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms as there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment options may include:
Treatment options
medications to help with memory loss and possibly slow the progression of the condition
treatments for insomnia
insomnia
behavioral therapy to make life easier for the individual and their loved ones or caregivers
counseling or medications to help manage depression or anxiety
depression
anxiety
cognitive stimulation therapy, which may help with memory, speech, and problem solving
support for living independently
Researchers are still looking for better treatment options.
Supporting a loved one
Individuals can support a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease in many different ways. For example, they can try:
support a loved one
learning about Alzheimer’s disease for a better understanding of the person’s experience
conversing with the person and participating in activities that both parties enjoy
offering practical help, such as preparing meals or driving them to appointments
connecting with other people through support networks
remembering that this is still the same person
asking the person how they are
discussing the changing relationship with a counselor or another trusted person
Outlook
Most people with Alzheimer’s disease can expect to live another 8–10 years after diagnosis, but the outlook ranges by 1–25 years. It will depend partly on the person’s age at diagnosis, with younger people usually surviving longer.
8–10 years
The cause of death is often pneumonia, malnutrition, or wasting of the body.
Summary
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease increases with age, but a person with a family history of the condition may have a higher risk of developing it.
Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one is developing Alzheimer’s disease should speak with a doctor.