The first symptom of dementia is not necessarily memory loss, here is the most common

Dementia is an umbrella term for various disorders that cause progressive deterioration of brain function and memory, including dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most widespread. This disease typically presents with memory loss and other cognitive alterations severe enough to disrupt daily life. Althoughno curative treatment is currently availableearly detection can slow its progression and allow the person concerned, or their loved ones, to maintain a good quality of life.

Many people associate the memory loss to Alzheimer’s disease, but research indicates that this symptom may not be the first signal of the disease. A systematic review published in 2017 suggests that another pathology could be an early warning sign of this disease. This pathology affects many French people, especially just after the confinement period. It can reach young people, boomers and of course, the elderly.

99.1% of people affected

Researchers conducted an extensive literature review, covering the period from 1937 to 2016, to analyze the signs and symptoms preceding the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that depression and cognitive impairment were the first symptoms observed in respectively 98.5% and 99.1% of participants in studies of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and in 9% and 80% of participants in Alzheimer’s disease studies early.

The memory loss manifested itself early and was felt 12 years before clinical diagnosis advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers concluded that “the results of this study suggest that neurological and depressive behaviors are early ».
“However, the study is limited by the fact that each of the results is based on a single study,” they note.
Identifying depression can be difficult enough in itself, let alone when it manifests as a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

Common symptoms between the two diseases

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (AA), there are several symptoms common to depression and dementia, such as apathythe loss of interest in activities and hobbiesthe social withdrawal and isolation, as well as difficulty concentrating and, finally, thought disorders. The organization also specifies that people with Alzheimer’s disease can often have difficulty expressing emotions such as sadness, despair or guilt, characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. depression.

The Alzheimer’s Association points out that depression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease can differ from typical depressionoften being less intense and fluctuating rather than persistent. Furthermore, these patients have less likely to talk about or attempt suicide compared to those suffering only from depression. Thus, it is worth taking care of one’s ancestors and their avoid loneliness so that they do not fall into depression and then dementia. However, avoiding it does not prevent illness from occurring.

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