How do I tell if I have early onset dementia?

According to the World Health Organization, over 55 million people worldwide live with dementia, with a small but significant percentage experiencing symptoms before age 65. If you're concerned about changes in your cognitive function, you may wonder, 'How do I tell if I have early onset dementia?' This guide provides crucial information.

Quick Summary

Distinguishing early-onset dementia from normal aging or other conditions requires professional medical assessment, as symptoms can be subtle and varied. A diagnosis is based on evaluating a pattern of cognitive and behavioral changes, not relying on a single symptom alone.

Key Points

• Symptoms are varied: Early-onset dementia symptoms can be diverse and include memory, mood, language, and behavioral changes.

• Age is a factor, but not a rule: Early-onset dementia occurs before age 65, with symptoms often starting more subtly than in late-onset cases.

• Professional evaluation is crucial: A definitive diagnosis requires a full medical assessment by a healthcare professional, not a self-evaluation.

• Not a normal part of aging: Unlike occasional forgetfulness, dementia symptoms are persistent and interfere significantly with daily tasks and independence.

• Early diagnosis aids management: Seeking an early diagnosis is important for exploring treatment options, accessing support, and making future plans.

Understanding Early-Onset Dementia

Early-onset dementia, sometimes called young-onset dementia, refers to dementia diagnosed in individuals younger than 65. While symptoms can be similar to those in older adults, the progression and type can differ. It is essential to recognize that dementia is not a normal part of the aging process, and cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with daily life warrants medical attention.

Key Symptoms to Look For

Symptoms of early-onset dementia often fall into several key categories. They may be subtle at first, and a person may not recognize them in themselves, but friends or family often notice changes.

Cognitive and Memory Changes

• Memory loss: More than just occasional forgetfulness. It includes forgetting recent events, important dates, repeating questions, and relying on memory aids more than before.
• Challenges with planning and problem-solving: Difficulty following a familiar recipe, managing monthly bills, or focusing on and completing a task that requires multiple steps.
• Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. Forgetting where one is or how they got there.
• Difficulty with words or communication: Trouble following a conversation, stopping in the middle of a sentence with no idea how to continue, or struggling to find the right word.
• Trouble with visual images and spatial relationships: Problems with judging distance, determining color contrast, or experiencing vision changes that affect driving.

Behavioral and Mood Changes

• Personality shifts: Sudden and uncharacteristic changes in personality, such as becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
• Withdrawal from social activities: Losing interest in hobbies, sports teams, or social engagements. Withdrawing from conversations.
• Changes in mood: Experiencing rapid mood swings or becoming irritable, frustrated, or anxious more easily than before.
• Poor or decreased judgment: Making poor financial decisions or paying less attention to grooming and personal hygiene.

Physical Symptoms

• Movement problems: Specific types of dementia, like dementia with Lewy bodies, can cause physical symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, or trouble with balance and walking.
• Motor coordination issues: Difficulty performing tasks that require fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or using utensils.

The Difference Between Normal Aging and Dementia

It can be difficult to distinguish between typical age-related changes and the more severe symptoms of dementia. The key difference often lies in the impact on daily life and the frequency and severity of the symptoms. A doctor's evaluation is crucial.

Signs of Dementia	Typical Age-Related Changes
Repeatedly asking the same questions or forgetting recent events	Sometimes forgetting a name or appointment but remembering later
Losing track of seasons or time; getting lost in familiar places	Getting momentarily confused about the day of the week
Difficulty managing a budget or complex tasks like following a recipe	Making an occasional error when balancing a checkbook
Trouble holding or following a conversation; forgetting simple words	Sometimes having trouble finding the right word
Withdrawing from work and social activities	Occasionally feeling uninterested in social obligations
Placing things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps	Misplacing keys or glasses from time to time
Dramatic changes in mood or personality	Developing specific ways of doing things; becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted

The Diagnostic Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Consult your primary care physician: Your doctor will conduct an initial assessment, review your medical history, and rule out other causes of your symptoms, such as thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or depression.
2. Referral to a specialist: For early-onset concerns, a specialist like a neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist may be recommended. Comprehensive dementia centers offer the most thorough evaluations.
3. Comprehensive medical evaluation: Specialists will perform a detailed history of symptoms, physical and neurological examinations, and targeted bloodwork.
4. Neuropsychological assessment: This involves more detailed written and computerized tests to evaluate thinking abilities, memory, language, and problem-solving skills.
5. Brain imaging: Scans such as MRI or PET can help identify changes in brain structure or function, rule out other conditions like tumors or strokes, and help determine the type of dementia.
6. Other tests: In some cases, genetic testing or cerebrospinal fluid tests may be used to look for specific markers associated with certain types of dementia.

Common Types of Early-Onset Dementia

While Alzheimer's disease is the most common type, several others can cause early-onset dementia:

• Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): More common in younger individuals, FTD primarily affects personality, behavior, and language skills, while memory may be less impacted initially.
• Vascular Dementia: Often linked to strokes or problems with blood flow to the brain. It can cause sudden or step-wise cognitive decline.
• Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB): Symptoms include fluctuations in alertness, visual hallucinations, and movement problems similar to Parkinson's disease.

Seeking a Professional Diagnosis

If you have persistent concerns, it's vital to seek a professional diagnosis. Early diagnosis is key for treatment options, managing symptoms, and future planning. For more authoritative information on dementia research and support, consider visiting the Alzheimer's Association website. A diagnosis can bring clarity and connect you with resources to help you navigate this journey.

Conclusion: Taking the Next Step

Figuring out if you have early-onset dementia is a medical process, not a self-diagnosis. Persistent and disruptive changes in memory, thinking, and behavior, particularly before age 65, should prompt a visit to your doctor. While the path to a diagnosis can feel overwhelming, understanding your symptoms and seeking a professional evaluation is the most empowering step you can take for your health and future planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between normal aging memory loss and early-onset dementia?

Normal aging memory loss involves occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing keys, but not being unable to retrace your steps to find them. Dementia symptoms are more severe, persistent, and interfere significantly with everyday tasks and independence.

Is early-onset dementia hereditary?

While most cases are not inherited, some rare forms of early-onset dementia, such as a specific variant of Alzheimer's, are linked to genetic mutations that run in families. A family history does not guarantee you will develop it.

What is the first step I should take if I suspect early-onset dementia?

Your first step should be to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. They can perform an initial assessment, rule out other conditions, and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Can early-onset dementia be cured?

There is currently no cure for most forms of dementia. However, some medications and therapies can help manage symptoms, slow cognitive decline, and improve quality of life.

Are there different types of early-onset dementia?

Yes, early-onset dementia can result from various conditions, including early-onset Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). FTD is more common in younger people.

What kind of tests are used to diagnose early-onset dementia?

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history review, neurological and cognitive exams, brain scans (like MRI or PET), and sometimes blood tests or spinal fluid tests to rule out other conditions.

What should I do if a family member is showing early signs?

Encourage your family member to see a doctor for a full medical evaluation. Offer to accompany them to appointments and provide a supportive, calm presence during what can be a frightening time.