Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a type of Alzheimer’s that can affect people as early as their 30s and 40s. When people younger than 65 years old are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s or younger-onset Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s at age 45 is 1 in 5 in women and 1 in 10 in men.
What causes early-onset Alzheimer’s?
Early-onset Alzheimer’s is caused by a buildup of two types of protein in your brain. These proteins are called amyloid and tau. The buildups can interfere with neurons functioning normally. Neurons help your body carry out all sorts of daily functions, and their buildup can affect things like remembering, learning, and planning. The buildups spread over time and cause the neurons to stop working, which is why Alzheimer’s is considered a degenerative disease.
Who is at risk for early-onset of Alzheimer’s?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are a few factors that may increase your risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer’s, including:
- Having a first-degree family member (parent, full sibling, child) with Alzheimer’s disease
- Environmental factors
- Having experienced a traumatic brain injury in your lifetime
- Smoking
- Factors that impact general health, such as chronic stress and poor nutrition
What are the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s include:
- Forgetting important and newly learned information and dates
- Asking for the same information repeatedly
- Trouble doing basic tasks like following a recipe or paying bills
- Losing track of date/time, location, and items
- Changes in mood or personality
It is important to note that there are disparities in the accuracy and timeliness of Alzheimer’s diagnosis between Black and Hispanic or Latino patients and white patients. This shows how important it is to advocate for yourself in healthcare appointments if you or a loved one is experiencing any symptoms related to Alzheimer’s. A helpful way to address symptoms with your healthcare provider is to make a list of the symptoms you or your loved one is experiencing and bring it to your appointments.
Resources:
Quick Facts- Alzheimer’s Association
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease- Cleveland Clinic
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease- Johns Hopkins Medicine
Diagnosis Disparities Article- Alzheimer’s Association Journals