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Causes Of Early Onset Alzheimer’s

What Causes Early Onset Alzheimers

Early onset dementia

Early onset Alzheimers occurs when you begin to experience the symptoms of Alzheimers before age 65. While advanced age is one of the largest contributing factors to Alzheimers, it is possible to begin experiencing the symptoms of Alzheimers earlier in life.

A doctor who specializes in Alzheimers disease can evaluate your symptoms and offer a diagnosis. While early onset Alzheimers is rare, people have received an early onset diagnosis in their 40s and 50s.

While the causes of early onset Alzheimers are unknown, researchers have found that genetics can play a role in some rare cases.

This rare form of Alzheimers is called familial Alzheimers disease, and it is caused by mutations in the PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP genes.

Theres a 50% chance that people who have this gene mutation will pass it on to their children.

Because theres so much that remains unknown about Alzheimers, its easy to see how myths and misinformation can begin to spread. Here are some common questions about the causes of Alzheimers:

  • Does aluminum cause Alzheimers?
  • Can Diet Coke cause Alzheimers?
  • Is Alzheimers caused by a bacteria?

The short answer to these questions is no. There isnt any concrete evidence to support any of these things as definitive causes.

In many cases, there might be a link between one of these things and having dementia later in life. But there is not enough evidence to clearly view it as the cause.

Bacteria also lacks conclusive evidence as a cause of Alzheimers.

What’s The Life Expectancy Of A Person With Dementia

Theres no easy way to answer this question. Dementia is an umbrella term that covers the many different types of underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

Each type of neurodegenerative disease has its own unique pattern and development in each person. Also, each person has a unique health profile. Some people may be relatively healthy and others may have several co-existing health issues. All of these factors play a role in the pace of decline in a person with dementia.

To answer more broadly, Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia. The average lifespan after the earliest symptoms is eight years. However, some people have lived as long as 20 years after an Alzheimers disease diagnosis.

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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Clinical And Investigation Findings

Magnetic resonance imaging scans from APPdup patients. Proband 1 showing extensive white matter abnormalities, microbleeds, and an amygdala hemorrhage , and proband 2 showing white matter abnormalities on T2 weighted scans and hippocampal atrophy .

Pathology of proband 4. Amyloid pathology is shown by immunohistochemistry for amyoid beta protein in frontal cortex and temporal cortex . Several different patterns of cortical amyloid deposition were seen including diffuse subpial, diffuse, and neuritic plaques and diffuse âcloudsâ in the entorhinal region. Severe and widespread cerebral amyloid angiopathy was present involving vessels in the spinal , cerebral , and cerebellar meninges. Rare cerebellar amyloid plaques were noted. Tau pathology was widespread in the temporal cortex mainly in the form of nonplaque neuritic deposition but also including plaque neurites and tangles. Plaque, tangle, and nonplaque neuritic tau deposition were found to affect the cerebral cortex in a wide distribution extending beyond the superior temporal gyrus and heavily involving the occipital cortex amounting to Braak stage VI. Tau staining was prominent in the substantia nigra as both tangle and neuritic deposition. An unusual feature was strong focal glial tau deposition in the white matter in coils and fine neurites . Alpha synuclein staining showed no pathological deposition either in the cortex or subcortical regions including the substantia nigra .

Reasons Aging Adults Develop Early

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While most people with dementia are over the age of 65, there is a relatively rare form of this disorder that may develop at a much younger age. Those who have early-onset dementia often begin to notice symptoms in their 40s, and this disease can drastically impact an individuals quality of life. Even though some risk factors are unpreventable, adults can lower their chances of developing this disorder by altering some of their habits and boosting their overall health.

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Take Care Of Yourself

  • Follow your doctors advice about diet and exercise. If you take medicine, be sure to take the right amount at the right time. Visit or talk with your doctor if you have questions about your health or treatment.
  • Consider joining a support group. To find one near you, contact your local Alzheimers Association chapter.

Talking To Your Children

If youre a parent, your children may respond to your diagnosis with shock, fear, and worry about the future. An ongoing dialogue can help them cope with the news and understand the changes they can expect.

Tailor your message to your childs age. Teens might understand some of the more complicated details of your diagnosis, such as how brain cells will gradually die off. However, youll want to stick to more basic terms or familiar analogies when talking to young children. Work with other family members to brainstorm ways to convey your message to your kids. Write down your thoughts beforehand if necessary.

Be ready to answer their questions. Kids and teens are bound to be curious. Be patient and address their questions as best you can. If you dont have an answer to a question, simply say so. Remember, this doesnt have to be a single conversation.

Let them know its okay to feel upset. You might feel that its important to maintain your composure and speak in a reassuring tone. However, dont be afraid to cry or express yourself in front of your children. This helps them to understand that grief is a normal reaction, rather than something to hide or run from.

Preparing for your familys future

It can be tempting to avoid thinking about the future, especially when things feel so bleak. However, forethought and planning can help ease stress and make life easier for both you and your loved ones.

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Key Points About Early

  • Alzheimer disease commonly affects older people, but early-onset Alzheimer disease can affect people in their 30s or 40s.

  • It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.

  • Although there is no known cure, early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better quality of life.

  • Stay healthy with a good diet and regular exercise.

  • Avoid alcohol and other substances that may affect memory, thinking, and behavior.

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment

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Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is a condition in which people have more memory problems than normal for their age but are still able to carry out their normal daily activities. A doctor can do thinking, memory, and language tests to see if a person has MCI. People with MCI are at a greater risk for developing Alzheimers disease, so its important to see a doctor or specialist regularly if you have this condition.

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Memory Loss That Impedes Daily Activities

The most noticeable symptom of Alzheimers disease is often memory loss . A person may start forgetting messages or recent events in a way that is unusual for them. They may repeat questions, having forgotten either the answer or the fact that they already asked.

It is not uncommon for people to forget things as they get older, but with early onset Alzheimers disease, this happens earlier in life, occurs more often, and seems out of character.

Coping With A Diagnosis

Not everyone reacts to news of an early-onset Alzheimers diagnosis in the same way. You might feel anger over the thought of having to face this problem at such a young age. It can feel deeply unfair, and you might grieve what feels like the loss of your future and identity. Conversely, you may feel numb, experience a sense of denial, or want to withdraw from the world as you try to process the diagnosis. Or you may even experience all of these conflicting emotions at once.

Theres no right way to respond, and the different feelings may come and go in waves. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself time to come to terms with your diagnosis and what it means for your life and loved ones.

Dont try to suppress your emotions. Take time to acknowledge the negative feelings youre experiencing. You might consider journaling your emotions or talking to a close friend, confidant, or therapist. However, try to avoid blaming yourself for the condition. Using HelpGuides Emotional Intelligence Toolkit can help you learn to manage the very difficult emotions youre experiencing at the moment.

Seek early intervention. As soon as you recognize symptoms, turn to a professional for testing. The sooner youre diagnosed, the sooner you can work to address your symptoms. Doctors can also help you manage comorbid conditions, such as hypertension or other vascular health problems, that may be contributing to your symptoms.

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Causes Of Early Onset Alzheimers

Most young people diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease have the condition for no known reason. But some people who experience early onset Alzheimers disease have the condition due to genetic causes. Researchers have been able to identify the genes that determine or increase your risk for developing Alzheimers.

What Is Alzheimers Disease

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Alzheimers Disease is one type of Dementia that affects your memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of Dementia and the 6th leading cause of death within the United States.

Alzheimers is a disorder within your brain that affects your thinking and memory skills. It progressively gets worse and makes it difficult to carry out simple everyday tasks.

Scientists have concluded that Alzheimers begins to affect the brain about ten years before seeing signs of Alzheimers disease. Abnormal build-ups of proteins form amyloid plaques and tangles that stop the healthy neurons from functioning correctly. They lose connections and die over time. This takes place in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex and then spreads from there. Eventually, as the neurons die, the brain is affected. It begins to shrink, causing widespread damage that affects most of the brain tissue.

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Medications To Treat The Underlying Alzheimer’s Disease Process

Aducanumab is the first disease-modifying therapy approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimers disease. The medication helps to reduce amyloid deposits in the brain and may help slow the progression of Alzheimers, although it has not yet been shown to affect clinical outcomes such as progression of cognitive decline or dementia. A doctor or specialist will likely perform tests, such as a PET scan or analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, to look for evidence of amyloid plaques and help decide if the treatment is right for the patient.

Aducanumab was approved through the FDAs Accelerated Approval Program. This process requires an additional study after approval to confirm the anticipated clinical benefit. If the follow-up trial fails to verify clinical benefit, the FDA may withdraw approval of the drug. Results of the phase 4 clinical trial for aducanumab are expected to be available by early 2030.

Several other disease-modifying medications are being tested in people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimers as potential treatments.

Medications To Maintain Mental Function In Alzheimer’s Disease

Several medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of Alzheimers. Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimers. Donepezil, memantine, the rivastigmine patch, and a combination medication of memantine and donepezil are used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers symptoms. All of these drugs work by regulating neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons. They may help reduce symptoms and help with certain behavioral problems. However, these drugs dont change the underlying disease process. They are effective for some but not all people and may help only for a limited time.

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Preparing For Early Onset Ad

Receiving an early onset AD diagnosis can be worrying. Now is the time to put together a plan so that you have peace of mind for the future when symptoms appear or intensify.

Try creating a plan together with your family, friends, and medical team. It can also be beneficial to meet with a financial planner and a lawyer.

Here are some key things to consider:

  • Education. You may find it helpful to learn more about AD and how it progresses. Talk with your doctor and learn about what your care plan could look like in the future.
  • Health insurance. Find out which medications and treatments are covered by your plan.
  • Future care costs. What will your medical and care expenses be? This may include professional home care of safety equipment for the home.
  • Disability insurance. What is covered by your employer? What documentation is needed?
  • Loss of income. Will you be able to keep working? If so, for how long? Will someone in your family need to stop working in order to become a caregiver?
  • Power of attorney. Who will have the authority to make health, financial, and legal decisions for you when you cant any more?
  • Support. Try finding a support group specifically for people with early onset AD and their caregivers. Their life situations are likely to be more similar to yours.

Its important to have a detailed, realistic plan for your future care. This will allow you to be more confident as you navigate through the stages of AD.

Tip : Take Steps To Slow The Progression Of The Disease

Mayo Clinic Minute: Early onset Alzheimer’s disease

Although theres no cure for early-onset Alzheimers, your doctor may prescribe specific types of medication, such as donepezil or rivastigmine, to help improve mental functioning. New medications are also being developed all the time. Then there are lifestyle changes you can make to keep your brain and body healthy and even slow the progression of the disease.

Exercise. Even if you were active before your diagnosis, you may have a hard time finding the motivation to keep up with exercise now. But a physically active lifestyle can help to delay the progression of early-onset Alzheimers and help preserve your independence. Whether you enjoy basic physical activities, such as walking and running, or team sports, aim for more than 2.5 hours of exercise per week.

Stay socially engaged. As your symptoms progress, you may worry about being a burden on others and withdraw from social situations. However, loneliness and isolation can have a negative effect on cognition. Rather than isolate, try to remain socially active. Look for clubs or volunteer opportunities that widen your social network or simply commit to spending more time with friends and family.

Seek mental stimulation. Cognitively stimulating activities can help keep your memory sharp. Consider doing daily puzzles and brainteasers, taking classes, or pursuing new hobbies such as reading, writing, or learning to play a musical instrument.

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Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented

As the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not clear, there’s no known way to prevent the condition.

But there are things you can do that may reduce your risk or delay the onset of dementia, such as:

These measures have other health benefits, such as lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease and improving your overall mental health.

Read more about preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

How Common Is Dementia

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 5 million U.S. adults age 65 or older have Alzheimers and related dementia. By 2060, the CDC projects that about 14 million people will have dementia, which is about 3.3% of the population.

Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans age 65 and older.

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Amyloid Plaques And Neurofibrillary Tangles

The impairment of neurons for someone with Alzheimers begins with a buildup of two major proteins inside and around the edges of the neurons.

One of these proteins is called amyloid, which leaves deposits on the neuron that causes plaque buildup. The other protein is called tau, which leaves deposits inside the neurons that cause tau to accumulate and create tangles. These tangles and buildup interfere with how the neurons send signals.

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