What Are the Early Signs of Dementia?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and Symptoms of DementiaDiagnosisCommon CausesRelated ConditionsPreventing Cognitive Decline

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Diagnosis

Common Causes

Related Conditions

Preventing Cognitive Decline

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Confusion, memory loss, and personality changes top the list of early signs of dementia, an umbrella term for several brain disorders that can interfere with the ability to live independently. Dementia is often permanent or progressive, but in some cases, the signs and symptoms may be treatable. This makes early detection of cognitive decline crucial. Here are a few signs that belong on any observation list.

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The list of signs and symptoms associated with dementia is long. Many overlap with other health conditions, though, so having some of them does not confirm cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider if you notice these cognitive and psychological signs of dementia:

Not everyone notices these symptoms right away, and a checklist alone can’t diagnose a dementia-related disorder. Not even a test can do so.

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To make a diagnosis, a physician such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or mental health professional completes a comprehensive evaluation that includes a physical exam, medical history review, blood tests, and assessments related to behavior and overall functionality.

Common Types of Dementia

Despite popular belief, dementia can affect people of all ages. It all depends on the cause and type.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s diseaseis the most common cause worldwide, implicated in 60% to 70% of dementia-related diagnoses.

Although increased age heightens the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, 3 to 5 million people living with the disease are younger than age 65.These individuals have what’s known asearly-onset Alzheimer’sor younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

One of the first signs people with Alzheimer’s disease (early-onset or otherwise) report is trouble recalling information they’ve recently learned.This occurs because Alzheimer’s compromises part of the brain involved in learning processes.

Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms will worsen over time, but medical treatment can help manage them.

Frontotemporal Dementia

Withfrontotemporal dementia, nerve cells in the parts of the brain involved in behavior, communication, and personality begin to degenerate. Thus, people with this condition typically have symptoms that impact their behavior, reasoning, communication, and/or movement.

Lewy Body Dementia

In Lewy body dementia, wads of protein accumulate in the brain. These proteins can also be found in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. People with this form of dementia might hallucinate, have trouble concentrating, or experience physical coordination and movement difficulties.

Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is second only to Alzheimer’s in its prevalence in people with dementia. It occurs due to problems with the blood vessels that involve the brain. While people with this form of dementia may have difficulty recalling, their most obvious symptoms are likely to be trouble with organization, reasoning, concentration, and thinking quickly.

Conditions Linked to Dementia

Several other medical conditions have been implicated in dementia diagnoses.They include (the previously mentioned) traumatic brain injury and Parkinson’s disease as well as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Huntington’s disease. People with these disorders have dementia-like symptoms or develop a form of dementia.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Symptoms of traumatic brain injury include memory loss, difficulty communicating, depression, and rage.

Parkinson’s Disease

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

In cattle, it is widely known as mad cow disease, which humans can contract from eating contaminated meat. Signs include confusion, disorientation, depression, coordination problems, and difficulty speaking and concentrating.

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited disorder in which nerve cells in the brain deteriorate. Symptoms include forgetfulness, depression, difficulty communicating, and difficulty with physical movement. This condition typically appears in one’s 30s or 40s.

Although traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, and Huntington’s diseases are not reversible, some other conditions associated with dementia are. Brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid problems, and immune disorders are just a few conditions that can cause dementia-like symptoms that can be treated and reversed.

Many causes of dementia are genetic, and the likelihood of exhibiting signs increases with age. However, experts still recommend that people do what they can to reduce the odds of experiencing symptoms.

Abstaining from excessive drinking and smoking (in any quantity), managing conditions such as hypertension anddiabetes, eating well, and exercising are among many steps you can take to stay on top of your cognitive health.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alzheimer’s Disease International.Dementia Statistics. 2020.World Health Organization.Dementia. March 15, 2023.10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association.What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis. National Institute on Aging. 2017 Dec 31.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alzheimer’s Disease International.Dementia Statistics. 2020.World Health Organization.Dementia. March 15, 2023.10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association.What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis. National Institute on Aging. 2017 Dec 31.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Alzheimer’s Disease International.Dementia Statistics. 2020.World Health Organization.Dementia. March 15, 2023.10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association.What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis. National Institute on Aging. 2017 Dec 31.

Alzheimer’s Disease International.Dementia Statistics. 2020.

World Health Organization.Dementia. March 15, 2023.

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association.

What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis. National Institute on Aging. 2017 Dec 31.

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