5 Early Symptoms Of Alzheimer's—And The Study That Surprised Everyone

Jun 25, 2018

Alzheimer's is a common condition that affects millions of aging Americans. Despite the prevalence of this cognitive disorder, however, no cure has yet been found. Before scientists can find a cure, they need a fuller understanding of what causes Alzheimer's in the first place. Thanks to a research study conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, scientists have a slightly better understanding of Alzheimer's.

The study was conducted on three test groups. There were healthy adults, adults in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and people with preclinical Alzheimer's. All participants were given a task: they had to navigate their way out of a computer maze. This test was designed to gauge their orientation abilities.

As expected, the healthy group had the best results. On the other hand, people with preclinical Alzheimer's as well as people with early-stage Alzheimer's had difficulty navigating the maze. This suggests that spatial disorientation may be one of the earliest signs of dementia. Because Alzheimer's is so commonly associated with memory loss, people often expect it to be the first sign of the condition. If navigational difficulties manifest even earlier, however, this knowledge could help Alzheimer's patients receive early treatment, which could limit the extent of the damage.

While navigational difficulties are one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's, it is by no means the only symptom seniors and their loved ones should look out for. Other symptoms that manifest in the early stages of the condition include:

In the early stages of the disease, patients may instinctively feel that something is wrong without understanding the source of their discomfort. As a result, they may become withdrawn, taciturn, or depressed. They may also avoid their favorite hobbies or interests. At social gatherings, they may struggle to keep up with conversations.

While memory problems may or may not be the earliest sign of Alzheimer's, many patients experience forgetfulness early on. Because the aging process can lead to forgetfulness as well, it can be hard to distinguish between acceptable levels of absentmindedness and the memory loss that accompanies the early stages of dementia. If seniors forget something in one moment but recollect it later, it's normal memory loss. But if they forget things, fail to recollect things, and struggle to retain new information— it may be cause for concern.

Alzheimer's affects many parts of the brain. When specific cognitive systems are damaged, it can have far-ranging effects. For example, when dementia starts to impact the area of the brain responsible for processes visual data, it can negatively affect the way seniors see.

The feelings of detachment can lead seniors to neglect basic self-care. They may forget to brush their hair or show little interest in taking showers. When seniors who usually take pride in their appearance start to falter, it may be a sign of Alzheimer's.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!

Do you have any relatives with Alzheimer's? What were their earliest symptoms? Let us know about your experiences below!