Search Strategy And Selection Criteria
References for this Review were identified through searches of PubMed with the search terms young onset, early onset, presenile, and dementia from 1990 until April, 2010. Articles were also identified through searches of the authors own files. Only papers published in English were reviewed. The final reference list was generated on the basis of originality and relevance to the broad scope of this Review.
The Various Causes Of Early
The Dutch study found that overall, Alzheimers disease was the most common cause of young-onset dementia. But when symptoms developed before age 50, early-onset Alzheimers was a less likely explanation than two other causes: vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
Vascular dementia results from a blockage or injury to blood vessels in the brain that interfere with circulation and deprive the brain of oxygen and nutrients. Its most common symptoms, in addition to memory problems, are confusion, difficulty concentrating, trouble organizing thoughts or tasks, and slowed thinking.
In frontotemporal dementia, portions of the brain that lie behind the forehead and ears shrink, resulting in dramatic personality changes, socially inappropriate or impulsive behavior and emotional indifference. Movement and memory problems typically develop later in the course of the disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia often begins between the ages of 40 and 65 and may be misdiagnosed as a psychiatric problem.
Alzheimers disease remains the most common cause of dementia in younger as well as older adults. There is an inherited form of Alzheimers that typically arises at younger ages, but those cases account for fewer than 10 percent of young-onset disease. Most cases of Alzheimers occur sporadically, for unknown reasons, though genetic factors may increase risk.
What Are The Causes Of Young
The causes of young-onset dementia are similar to the diseases that usually cause dementia in older people. However, some causes, such as frontotemporal dementia , are more common in younger people. Dementia in younger people often has different symptoms, even when its caused by the same diseases as in older people.There is more information about some common causes of dementia, and how they can affect younger people, below.
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Initial Causes Cause Of Dementia In Young Adults
There are several different causes of memory loss. Some cause this condition in the young, while others may be more gradual. If you notice that your memory is weakening, its important to consult a medical professional. Whether the cause is mental illness, age, or a combination of factors, its important to seek treatment as soon as possible. People with extensive memory loss may have social difficulties and anxiety, which can lead to depression. They may be afraid they are letting their loved ones down, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Cause of Dementia in Young Adults
Fortunately, there are many causes of memory loss, and many of them are treatable. However, if you are experiencing serious memory problems, you may need medical treatment. If you have been undergoing any type of medication, you should consult with your doctor. Some people have other underlying conditions that may be causing their loss of memory. Alcohol abuse, sleep deprivation, or other mental health conditions can cause memory problems. You should seek out a medical professional if you suspect youre suffering from any of these conditions.
Causes Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of 2 proteins called amyloid and tau.
Deposits of amyloid, called plaques, build up around brain cells. Deposits of tau form “tangles” within brain cells.
Researchers do not fully understand how amyloid and tau are involved in the loss of brain cells, but research into this is continuing.
As brain cells become affected in Alzheimer’s, there’s also a decrease in chemical messengers involved in sending messages, or signals, between brain cells.
Levels of 1 neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, are particularly low in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Medicines like donepezil increase levels of acetylcholine, and improve brain function and symptoms.
These treatments are not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but they do help improve symptoms.
Read more about treatments for dementia.
The symptoms that people develop depend on the areas of the brain that have been damaged by the disease.
The hippocampus is often affected early on in Alzheimer’s disease. This area of the brain is responsible for laying down new memories. That’s why memory problems are one of the earliest symptoms in Alzheimer’s.
Unusual forms of Alzheimer’s disease can start with problems with vision or with language.
Read more about Alzheimer’s disease.
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Causes Of Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which damages and eventually kills brain cells.
This can happen as a result of:
- narrowing and blockage of the small blood vessels inside the brain
- a single stroke, where the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off
- lots of “mini strokes” that cause tiny but widespread damage to the brain
Not everyone who has a stroke will go on to develop vascular dementia.
Read more about vascular dementia.
Symptoms Of Dementia In Young Adults Human
- Post author Scientific review: Dr Heben’s Team
Do you know what dementia is? Dementia is not a disease, but rather the collection of the symptoms that result from the damage of the brain. So, dementia is commonly involves the damage of nerve cells in the brain and thus, the symptoms of the dementia could vary between one person to another, depending on the area of the brain affected. There are a lot of types related to dementia and here are the various types of dementia:
- Alzheimers disease. This is the most common forms of dementia that commonly occurred in the elderly people, especially those who have the age above 65 years old. The plaques are commonly found in the brains of the people with this type of dementia.
- Vascular dementia. This is the second most common forms of dementia. This type could occur because of the damage in the vessel that will supply the blood to your brain .
- Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia is the abnormal clumps that commonly found in the brain of the people with this type of dementia.
- Frontotemporal dementia. This type of dementia is commonly occurring because there is some degenration on the nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are generally related to the peoples personality, behavior, and language.
After you know all kinds of dementia, now you also need to know all kinds of the symptoms of dementia. So, here are the various symptoms that commonly related to dementia.
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The Financial Implications Of Early
People with early-onset Alzheimers disease may be facing a daunting financial future, particularly if their job is their main source of income.
Those who are still working may be eligible for disability benefits or may be able to use benefits offered under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage.
People who need to leave their jobs may be able to retain employer-sponsored healthcare coverage for as long as 36 months under the federal law COBRA.
The Health Insurance Marketplace in each state, created by the Affordable Care Act , is another option for healthcare coverage. ACA health plans cannot refuse coverage to people with preexisting conditions, meaning no one can be denied insurance because of an Alzheimers diagnosis.
The Social Security Administration has added early-onset Alzheimers disease to its list of conditions under the Compassionate Allowances initiative.
This means people younger than 65 who qualify have expedited access to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.
Talking with a financial planner who is familiar with elder care or long-term-care planning may be helpful in understanding the choices and taking a proactive approach.
Early Signs Of Alzheimers Disease In Young Adults
Aging is a natural process of human life. As we age, we experience subtle and gradual changes in our bodies and brains however, it is important to understand which changes in your brain are not caused by normal aging. Some of these changes may be early signs of Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia. Here are some of the most common early signs of Alzheimers disease in young adults.
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Health Environmental And Lifestyle Factors That May Contribute To Alzheimer’s Disease
Research suggests that a host of factors beyond genetics may play a role in the development and course of Alzheimer’s disease. There is a great deal of interest, for example, in the relationship between cognitive decline and vascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Ongoing research will help us understand whether and how reducing risk factors for these conditions may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
A nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, sleep, and mentally stimulating pursuits have all been associated with helping people stay healthy as they age. These factors might also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials are testing some of these possibilities.
Early-life factors may also play a role. For example, studies have linked higher levels of education with a decreased risk of dementia. There are also differences in dementia risk among racial groups and sexesall of which are being studied to better understand the causes of Alzheimers disease and to develop effective treatments and preventions for all people.
Depression And Anxiety Are More Common In Young Onset Alzheimers Disease
People with late onset Alzheimers disease do show more impairment, on average, in their cognition and daily function than those with young onset Alzheimers disease, at least when the disease starts. However, because their insight is also impaired, those with late onset disease dont notice these difficulties that much. Most of my patients with late onset Alzheimers disease will tell me either that their memory problems are quite mild, or that they dont have any memory problems at all!
By contrast, because they have more insight, patients with young onset Alzheimers disease are often depressed about their situation and anxious about the future, a finding that was recently confirmed by a group of researchers in Canada. And as if having Alzheimers disease at a young age wasnt enough to cause depression and anxiety, recent evidence suggests that in those with young onset Alzheimers disease, the pathology progresses more quickly.
Another tragic aspect of young onset Alzheimers disease is that, by affecting individuals in the prime of life, it tends to disrupt families more than late onset disease. Teenage and young adult children are no longer able to look to their parent for guidance. Individuals who may be caring for children in the home now need to care for their spouse as well perhaps in addition to caring for an aging parent and working a full-time job.
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When Dementia Strikes At An Early Age
Dementia in a person in their 30s, 40s or 50s poses special challenges, starting with getting a diagnosis.
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Many people arent overly concerned when an octogenarian occasionally forgets the best route to a favorite store, cant remember a friends name or dents the car while trying to parallel park on a crowded city street. Even healthy brains work less efficiently with age, and memory, sensory perceptions and physical abilities become less reliable.
But what if the person is not in their 80s but in their 30s, 40s or 50s and forgets the way home from their own street corner? Thats far more concerning. While most of the 5.3 million Americans who are living with Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia are over 65, some 200,000 are younger than 65 and develop serious memory and thinking problems far earlier in life than expected.
Young-onset dementia is a particularly disheartening diagnosis because it affects individuals in the prime years, Dr. David S. Knopman, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., wrote in a . Many of the afflicted are in their 40s and 50s, midcareer, hardly ready to retire and perhaps still raising a family.
Planning For The Future
Planning early makes it easier for someone with younger onset dementia to manage their financial, legal and medical affairs now and in the future.
If you have been diagnosed with younger onset dementia, it is important to make important decisions while you still can and while you are legally competent to sign any documents.
Things to think about include:
- your living arrangements into the future
- who can have access to your financial accounts
- having joint signatures on all financial accounts
- arranging when and how you will access your finances
- talking to a financial adviser
- sorting out superannuation, health and income insurance
- writing or updating your will
If you have been diagnosed with dementia, its important to nominate a trusted person to manage your affairs in the future. You can do this through an Enduring Power of Attorney .
A financial EPA enables a nominated person to look after your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. A medical EPA covers only medical decisions. The laws regarding EPAs vary between states and territories, so it’s important to seek legal advice before the agreement is completed, or if you are moving interstate.
Some states also have medical guardianship . This allows someone to choose a person to make medical decisions for them. For more information on guardianship and administrators, visit the My Aged Care website.
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Key Points About Early
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Alzheimer disease commonly affects older people, but early-onset Alzheimer disease can affect people in their 30s or 40s.
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It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
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Although there is no known cure, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life.
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Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise.
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Avoid alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
> > > Best Memory Loss Solution Available
If youre experiencing memory loss, you should go to a doctor. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. He or she will also ask you about your medication and any stress youre experiencing. After the exam, he or she will likely ask you to make an appointment with a neuropsychologist. If youre unable to recall the details of your doctor, you may want to consult another healthcare provider.
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How Common Is Dementia In Adults Under 65
Dementia can affect people as young as 30, although this is extremely rare. Most younger people with dementia are middle aged: in their 50s and early 60s. The term young onset dementia, or ‘early onset dementia’, or ‘working life dementia’ refers to people diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65.
You cant have dementia, youre too young.
A GP quoted in an Alzheimers Society report
In 2010 there were thought to be 64,037 people under 65 with dementia in the UK compared with just 16,737 in 1998. The majority of those affected in this younger age group 70 per cent are men. Younger people with dementia make up 8 per cent of the total number of people with dementia .
The chances of developing dementia before 65 are relatively small. Men aged between 30 and 59 have a 0.16 per cent chance for women it is 0.09 per cent. The chances increase slightly once a person reaches 60. Men aged between 60 and 64 have a 1.58 per cent chance of developing dementia for women it is 0.47 per cent. The chances of developing dementia are highest for people between 90 and 94 .
Panel : Dementia Plus Syndromes And Associated Diseasesneurological Features
Ataxia
Spinocerebellar ataxia , paraneoplastic diseases, prion diseases , DRPLA , fragile x-associated tremor ataxia syndrome,58 familial British and Danish dementias, mitochondrial disorders, superficial siderosis, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis , Niemann-Pick disease type C, multiple system atrophy , Alexander’s disease, and multiple sclerosis
Pyramidal signs
Multiple sclerosis, frontotemporal lobar degeneration with motor neuron disease, Alzheimer’s disease , spinocerebellar ataxias, phenylketonuria, familial British and Danish dementias, hereditary spastic paraparesis , adrenoleukodystrophy, vanishing white matter disease, polyglucosan body disease, polycystic lipomembranous sclerosing leukoencephalopathy
Dystonia/chorea
Huntington’s disease , Kuf’s disease , Wilson’s disease, neuroacanthocytosis, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration , Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, DRPLA, corticobasal degeneration, neuroferritinopathy, anti-NMDA receptor-mediated limbic encephalitis, variant CJD
Bucco-lingual mutilation
Neuroacanthocytosis, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Akinetic-rigid syndrome
Lewy body disease , progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy , Huntington’s disease , corticobasal degeneration, dementia pugilistica, Wilson’s disease, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration , frontotemporal lobar degeneration with parkinsonism-17, Alzheimer’s disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Myoclonus or early seizures
Gaze palsy
Deafness
Dysautonomia
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Risk Factors And Prevention
Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable consequence of biological ageing. Further, dementia does not exclusively affect older people young onset dementia accounts for up to 9% of cases. Studies show that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline and dementia by being physically active, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol,controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Additional risk factors include depression, social isolation, low educational attainment, cognitive inactivity and air pollution.
Risk Increases With Age
The prevalence of early-onset dementia is only about one case per 100,000 people among 30- to 34-year-olds. That number goes up to 77 cases per 100,000 in people who are 60 to 64. In both age groups, early-onset dementia is extremely rare statistically, there is about a 0.08 percent chance of being diagnosed with the disease. This makes treatment for early-onset dementia patients difficult. There are few specialists who are equipped to diagnose and treat it, and just as few homes or centers that will accept younger dementia patients.
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