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MEMORY LOSS MAY not always be the first warning sign that dementia is brewing, according to Canadian researchers. Changes in behaviour or personality might be an earlier clue.
Researchers say that “mild behavioural impairment” may be a sign of Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
The Alzheimer’s Association has proposed a checklist of symptoms to alert doctors and families about dementia. Has the person lost interest in their favorite activities? Are they getting unusually anxious, aggressive or suspicious? Are they suddenly making crude comments in public?
“Historically those symptoms have been written off as a psychiatric issue, or as just part of aging,” said Dr Zahinoor Ismail of the University of Calgary, who presented the checklist at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto.
Now, “when it comes to early detection, memory symptoms don’t have the corner on the market anymore,” he said.
Signs to look out for
Dementia is the deterioration of memory, intellect, judgement, language and social skills. The HSE estimates that there are currently 35,000 people in Ireland with dementia. However, with our aging population, this figure is likely to increase significantly.
Ismail is part of an Alzheimer’s Association committee which is drafting a 38-question checklist of the symptoms for the illness. The checklist focuses on new problems that linger at least six months, not temporary symptoms or ones explained by a clear mental health diagnosis or other issues such as bereavement, he stressed.
Signs to look out for include apathy, anxiety about once regular events, loss of impulse control, flaunting social norms, loss of interest in food.
He even cites extreme cases, like a 68-year-old who started using cocaine before anyone noticed her memory trouble. If validated, the checklist could help doctors better identify people at risk of Alzheimer’s and study changes over time.
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Progressive Disease
Dementia is a progressive disease, quietly ravaging the brain a decade or two before the first symptoms become noticeable.
Early memory problems called “mild cognitive impairment,” or MCI, can raise the risk of later developing dementia, and worsening memory often is the trigger for potential patients or their loved ones to seek medical help.
It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to experience depression and agitation, or ‘sundowning’ at the end of the day, as the degeneration spreads into brain regions responsible for more than memory.
“It’s important for us to recognise that not everything’s forgetfulness,” said Dr Ron Petersen, the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s research chief.
With early diagnosis, some of the causes of dementia, such as vitamin deficiency, low blood pressure, and side effects from medications can be treated or partially reversed. Symptoms can be improved with medication.
Dr Mary Ganguli, a professor of neurology from the University of Pittsburgh said to the New York Times that doctors could improve the quality of life for dementia patients.
We can make them sleep better, we can take the edge off depression, we can help the family learn how to manage the problems.
However, there is no cure for dementia.
‘Who is this person?’
Technology specialist Mike Belleville of Douglas, Massachusetts, thought stress was to blame when he found himself getting easily frustrated and angry. Usually patient, he began snapping at co-workers and rolling down his window to yell at other drivers, “things I’d never done before,” Belleville said.
The final red flag was a heated argument with his wife, Cheryl, who found herself wondering, “Who is this person?” When Mike didn’t remember the strong words the next morning, the two headed straight for a doctor.
Physicians tested for depression and a list of other suspects. Eventually, Belleville, now 55, was diagnosed with an early-onset form of dementia — and with medication no longer gets angry so easily, allowing him to volunteer his computer expertise.
“If you see changes, don’t take it lightly and assume it’s stress,” Cheryl Belleville advised.
With additional reporting from Elizabeth O’Malley.
It kidnaps loved ones right before our eyes, horrible horrible condition
Thought wife was having an affair!!! Now I’m not so sure
My mother had all these signs before the memory loss started. As she was only 55 we thought it was the change. It certainly wasn’t the “change” but it was a change, I never saw the mother I knew ever again. Even though she is still here in body, I lost her 9 years ago when her behaviour started to change.
That is an extremely helpful article thank you
My sister was just diagnosed in recent weeks. She’s only in her mid 50s and still in the early to moderate stage but already she’s not the same person she was. We’re all bracing ourselves for the coming years. Horrible illness.
Dementia in one form or another hits every family unfortunately and it often signifies a type of living death which we don’t notice because it is so gradual. As drugs and treatments keep our bodies alive longer we will need to find new solutions to stall or reduce dementia.
If I’m afflicted with dementia, and having seen what it has done to other family members, I will make a decision and promptly act on it whilst I’m still capable.
A living death, with loss of intelligence and personality, is not for me. My family and friends will not need to be inflicted with coping with my condition. My life is my own. It is my decision and it does not require anyone’s approval or disapproval.
Because I’m at high risk, I periodically check myself by performing tests.
Anything which reveals symptoms earlier than at the moment is beneficial. Planning and execution functional capacity are quickly undermined by any form of dementia. So, I need to know as soon as possible.
Michael my father died 3 years ago. A couple of weeks before he died he admitted he had been covering up my mother’s increasing loss of touch with reality for some time. When he died mum asked us to help her kill herself, which we refused to do. She died last summer not knowing who anybody was and mentally suffering terribly. If we had had any idea of what dementia would do to her we would have acceded to her request when dad died
I understand completely and share your fears and wishes. My worry would be that I would not recognise what was happening to me, or try to hang on to life for as long as possible and then miss the window of opportunity.
Ditto Michael, that post of yours is very well worded. You just summed-up exactly what I was about to say & how I too personally feel about this disease. Thanx.
They are also symptoms of depression
I’ve noticed a few changes in my mum’s behaviour – she’s drinking more, buying a lot of stuff from charity shops, eating less.., not sure if it’s stress/depression or early signs of dementia :/
Take her to a specialist
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