New research suggests early-onset Alzheimer's disease may show up in surprising ways. Alzheimer’s disease is often considered a disease of older adults, but some people who develop an early-onset form of the condition first start to notice symptoms between age 45 and 64.

Now, new research digs into those potential signs a little deeper—and finds a slew of seemingly unrelated health conditions that can surface during that time. The study, which was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, analyzed data from 407 people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (which is diagnosed in people under 65) who visited one of two memory clinics in Finland. They compared the electronic health records with nationwide health register data from more than 4,000 people who didn’t have any progressive neurodegenerative disease.

In particular, the researchers specifically focused on the 15 years before the patients were diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. After comparing the data, they discovered that people who were eventually diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease were more likely than the general population to experience a wide range of health issues years before their diagnosis. “It is well known that the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease begin at least 15 to 20 years before clinical cognitive symptoms appear,” says Suvi-Johanna Krüger, M.D.,

Ph.D., study co-author and clinical lecturer at University of Oulu. “Most previous studies have focused on late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and considerably less is known about early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.” Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease isn’t as common as late-onset Alzheimer’s disease—it accounts for up to 10% of cases—but the findings raise a lot of questions about whether certain health complications should be looked at more closely to help aid an earlier diagnosis. Here’s what experts want you to know. Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, D.O., a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center; Raymond Romano, Ph.D.,

M.P.H., dementia researcher and family nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center; Suvi-Johanna Krüger, M.D.,

Ph.D., study co-author and clinical lecturer at University of Oulu. What were the surprising symptoms linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease? The researchers discovered an increase in a wide range of health issues before an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis that weren’t reflected in the general population. These health conditions were most pronounced within the five-year period before diagnosis: Vertigo (5.9% in early-onset Alzheimer patients vs. 2.1% in the general population) Depression (5.7% vs. 2.3%) Delirium (1.5% vs. 0.1%) Brain injuries (2.9% vs 0.9%) Thyroid disorders (2.5% vs. 0.8%) Alcohol-related disorders (3.4% vs. 1.4%) Epilepsy (2.2% vs.

0.7%) Participants also were more likely to be diagnosed with ear, nose, and throat diseases (5.2% vs.

2.9%) one to five years before an early-onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Overall, the researchers discovered that interactions with the healthcare system “increased markedly” in the year before patients were diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. But what they didn’t find?

Any increase in risk factors traditionally associated with and strongly linked to the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. People in the study who went on to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s were no more likely to be diagnosed with those conditions in the years leading up to their diagnosis than those in the control group. Why might patients have an increase in these symptoms? That’s not clear just yet. “Our study cannot determine whether these conditions cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease or whether they are consequences of the underlying disease process,” Dr. Krüger says.

“Some conditions may represent risk factors, while others may reflect early symptoms or changes occurring during the prodromal phase of the disease.” There are a few theories, though. “Changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease can begin years before a diagnosis is made and may affect mood, behavior, sleep, balance, and other neurologic functions before significant memory loss becomes apparent,” says Raymond Romano, Ph.D.,

M.P.H., dementia researcher and family nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt Memory & Alzheimer’s Center. As a result, someone may develop and seek care for symptoms like dizziness or depression before doctors realize they’re part of a broader neurodegenerative process, he explains. “Some conditions may also share common risk factors or underlying biological pathways with dementia,” Romano says. But it’s also possible that these are unrelated. “There is no clear neurological reason a patient with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease would have these disparate symptoms,” says Clifford Segil, D.O., a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center.

Instead, it may be possible that patients who have a lot of health issues may be more likely to get tested for something like Alzheimer's disease faster than others if symptoms surface. Still, “further studies are needed to clarify these relationships,” Dr. Krüger says. What does this mean for your health if you experience some of these surprising issues? It’s important to stress that you shouldn’t worry that you have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease if you suddenly develop symptoms like headaches or vertigo—they can also happen on their own or be linked with other health conditions, making it tricky to pin this on early-onset Alzheimer’s disease alone. Ditto if you develop respiratory issues or thyroid problems.

“If you develop a runny nose, breathing problems, or thyroid disease, you should go see your primary care doctor because these are all easily treated,” Dr. Segil says. “If you develop memory loss under age 65, you should go see a neurologist and get evaluated for dementia.”

Don’t stress right away that these surprising signs are saying anything about your brain. But doctors say it’s fair to flag to your healthcare provider if you start to develop multiple unusual symptoms, especially if they’re coupled with some of the more classic symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, like persistent cognitive changes, memory problems, trouble at work, and language difficulties. “The take-home message is not that headaches, depression, or dizziness mean someone is developing Alzheimer’s disease,” Romano says.

“The message is that brain health and overall health are deeply connected, and taking steps to manage cardiovascular health, mental health, sleep, hearing, and alcohol use can benefit brain health regardless of whether someone is at risk for dementia.” Ultimately, doctors say it’s crucial to see a healthcare provider if you’re having any kind of persistent health issues, including memory problems. “Early diagnosis is important because more treatment and support options are available in the early stages of the disease,” Dr. Krüger says. “Early diagnosis also gives individuals and their families more time to plan for the future and access appropriate support services.” You Might Also Like