Although the name could imply that early onset Alzheimer’s is just Alzheimer’s disease that is discovered early, it is categorized as a different kind of disease. Additionally, some evidence indicates that it advances more quickly and with greater aggression.

What is known about this uncommon type of Alzheimer’s disease is as follows.

Influential factors

Early onset Alzheimer’s disease is linked to hereditary factors; studies have shown that specific rare genetic abnormalities might trigger the disease, including:

• amyloid precursor protein (APP) on chromosome 21
• presenilin 1 (PSEN1) on chromosome 14
• presenilin 2 (PSEN2) on chromosome 1

Since these single-gene variations are thought to be diagnostic biomarkers for early-onset Alzheimer’s, those with a family history of the disease are advised to have genetic counseling and genetic analysis to screen for them.

But only 5–10% of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease have it because of these genes; the rest are thought to be isolated, unexplained occurrences.

The way that early-onset Alzheimer’s affects the brain is another important distinction.

While early-onset Alzheimer’s affects the cortex, the brain’s center for actions and thinking, the majority of conventional cases of Alzheimer’s (affecting people over 65) affect the hippocampus, which is primarily responsible for memory.

Other alterations, such as behavioral changes, altered speech and motor abilities, trouble with spatial awareness, or a visual impairment, take precedence over memory loss as the primary symptom.

This illness also develops as a result of certain lifestyle choices.

Talk to your physician about these risk factors:

• insufficient mental stimulation
• social isolation
• high blood pressure or hearing loss
• lack of physical activity
• unbalanced diet
• substance use disorder
• smoking
• too little sleep, or sleep disorders

Although the treatment of early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is similar, those with early onset should be given special attention, such as age-appropriate psychosocial assistance and a focus on mental health, because they are more likely to experience widespread anxiety.

Progression

Growing evidence suggests that early onset is significantly more aggressive than late onset, although more research is still needed to fully understand the disorder.

According to a 2020 study, tau deposition—an atypical protein accumulation in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s—is more prevalent in early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Thirty papers that looked at the age at which dementia symptoms start were reviewed in 2022. According to research, Alzheimer’s disease progresses more quickly in younger patients, causing critical brain processes to deteriorate more quickly.

Additionally, compared to late-onset Alzheimer’s, early-onset Alzheimer’s is linked to a higher mortality risk.

It’s crucial to remember that while the illness is more progressive, each person experiences it at a different rate.

Researchers concur that identifying and modifying modifiable risk factors early on—such as reducing high blood pressure, improving diet, boosting exercise, fostering more social interactions, stopping smoking, etc.—is the most effective way to reduce the risk of this illness.

Diagnosis and treatment

Early detection of the illness is crucial. Finding an efficient treatment to lessen symptoms more quickly and having more time to make plans are two benefits of early diagnosis.

However, because many people in their 40s and 50s may not recognize the severity of their symptoms, believing they are too young to suffer from a progressive memory loss disorder, early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis is frequently postponed.

Early onset Alzheimer’s frequently eludes medical professionals, which can result in incorrect diagnosis of mental illnesses and postpone early onset Alzheimer’s care and treatment.

Since there is currently no stand-alone test for Alzheimer’s, medical professionals employ a variety of diagnostic methods, including blood tests, neurological examinations, brain imaging, cognitive tests, and more.

Medications that reduce memory loss symptoms are the main treatment choices for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

These medications include:

• donepezil (Aricept)
• rivastigmine (Exelon)
• galantamine (Razadyne)
• memantine (Namenda)

The illness is still being studied, and new drugs are being created all the time.

As an alternative, different approaches to symptom treatment can be investigated.

Cognitive stimulation therapy may assist enhance memory and increase quality of life, while talk therapy may help improve mood for symptoms like anxiety or depression. Usually conducted in groups, this type of therapy frequently includes entertaining activities.

Additionally beneficial are some care techniques for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, such as:

• maintaining consistency through daily routines (you can work with your healthcare provider or caregiver to plan these).
• maintaining a cosy, familiar, and secure setting (this includes moving furniture around the house to facilitate everyday chores)
• maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle that includes eating wholesome meals and giving up smoking
• Giving up alcohol might cause confusion memory problems and conflict with medications.

The takeaway

Alzheimer’s disease with early onset typically affects those under 65. Compared to late-onset Alzheimer’s, which is diagnosed in those over 65, this disorder is more aggressive and progresses more quickly.

Although little is known about early-onset Alzheimer’s, recent studies have shown that modifying some lifestyle choices, such as decreasing blood pressure, stopping smoking, getting better sleep, and increasing mental stimulation, can significantly lessen your risk of developing the disease.