Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing early signs of dementia, which can allow families and care providers to intervene early, potentially delaying the onset of serious symptoms and improving the quality of life of those affected.
The Alzheimer’s Society UK stressed: “There is currently no cure for dementia, but it is still very important to recognize the early signs and symptoms. With clinical trials now showing positive results, early and accurate diagnosis will be important in finding those who are eligible for disease-modifying treatments when they become available.
They also added: “It’s important to remember that there are many ways to help people with dementia live well with dementia, even in the absence of medications to slow progression.”
According to the New York Times, five symptoms often appear very early, but can go unnoticed.
Memory loss is frequently associated with dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, and while it is a critical indicator, it is not the only symptom to watch out for. Other key signs that can lead to early diagnosis are often overlooked despite their importance.
Although many of these symptoms can be attributed to isolated incidents or other causes, they should not be ignored. If they persist over time or if several appear simultaneously, it is essential to consult a doctor.
Five signs of potential dementia not to be overlooked:
1. Personality changes.
A study led by Angelina Sutin, a professor of behavioral sciences at Florida State University, found that people with dementia often exhibit personality changes before cognitive decline becomes apparent. Decreases in extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness have been noted, with these changes accelerating as the disease progresses.
These changes can be observed in daily behavior. For example, diminished extraversion may result in social withdrawal or a shrinking social circle. According to Sutin, these signs are easier to spot than memory loss.
2. Difficulties driving
Difficulty driving can be one of the first indicators of cognitive decline, potentially appearing years before other symptoms, says Ganesh Babulal, a professor of neurology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Driving involves several cognitive systems and any impairment can increase the risk of an accident. Although age-related physical problems, such as worsening vision or medication-related side effects, can also contribute, it’s important to stay alert to these changes.
3. Loss of smell
Loss of smell is one of the earliest indicators of neurodegeneration in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson’s disease. The olfactory system, responsible for this sense, often suffers damage years or even decades before other symptoms appear. Unlike hearing or vision loss, which are risk factors for dementia but are not caused by it, loss of smell is an early sign of these diseases.
Each disease has a different impact on the sense of smell: in Alzheimer’s disease, odors are detected but confused, while in Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, they are not perceived, which could be crucial for early detection.
4. Difficulty sleeping well
Sleep problems are common among older adults, but drastic changes, such as waking up at 3 a.m. or not being able to stay awake during the day, can be signs of dementia. The regions of the brain that regulate sleep, such as the brainstem, are among the first affected by Alzheimer’s disease, causing problems years before memory problems.
In Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease, REM sleep behavior disorder may occur, in which the person acts out their dreams with movements or cries, due to damage to the brain cells that control paralysis during this period. phase.
According to neurologist Ronald Postuma, it is not simple sleepwalking, as patients often seek help after being alerted by a partner to violent or unusual behavior while sleeping. These patterns may be early signs of neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Financial difficulties
Financial problems are common and can arise from a variety of causes. However, when they coincide with other cognitive or behavioral changes, they could be an early sign of dementia.
It is not that these problems directly cause the disease, but their sudden or unusual occurrence, such as forgetting to pay bills, making impulsive purchases, or trusting unreliable people, may suggest mental disorders. judgment and brain functions. This is especially true in cases like frontotemporal dementia, where judgment is impaired from the start.
Neurologist Winston Chiong explains that financial management involves multiple regions of the brain, making it one of the first areas where cognitive problems become apparent.
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