'I'm a Cleveland Clinic Neuropsychologist—These Are 3 Symptoms of Brain Disease That Can Actually Begin Years Earlier Than Expected'
You may have heard that "Age is the most common risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease"—and if you haven't, know that it's smack dab on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's website. There's a reason for that: The number of people living with the disease doubles every five years after a person's 65th birthday, though symptoms can begin to present after the big 6-0, according to the CDC.
That said, all ages should be aware of potential brain disease symptoms, as is clear in Parade and Cleveland Clinic's 2024 brain health survey.
"It's important for people of every age to be aware of the way that the brain can change with normal aging," says Dr. Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., the director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic. "One of those [changes] is dementia. When people have a dementia diagnosis, oftentimes, they have had problems for years. It takes a while to get diagnosed, and family members often notice that things are changing."
In fact, Dr. Caldwell says people may pick up on these changes in themselves or loved ones before a test can detect and diagnose dementia. This issue is more prevalent with women, who are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease—and scientists are just learning more about potential reasons. However, early detection can allow providers to suggest treatments that can improve a person's quality of life, so it's essential to understand the signs so you can advocate for yourself and your people.
Dr. Caldwell reveals three signs you may be having brain-related issues and what to do next (even if the test comes back as all good).
3 Signs of Cognitive Decline to Flag at Any Age
Seemingly benign forgetfulness, attention difficulties and feeling cognitively slower could all be red flags.
However, before hitting the panic button, Dr. Caldwell reiterates that dementia onset (and even symptoms) often happen after age 65.
"With Alzheimer's, it's often in the 70s, but that doesn't mean there aren't types of dementia that hit earlier," Dr. Caldwell says. "Early onset dementia occurs before age 65, and there are even genetic types of dementia that happen, unfortunately, when people are in their 30s and 40s."
So, it certainly doesn't hurt to understand the signs and symptoms of dementia, regardless of how many candles you most recently blew out on your birthday cake. In fact, it'll help you and maybe even an older loved one, too.
The biggest sign is pretty obvious: memory loss. With that in mind, it can feel subtle at first and get chalked up to normal aging (which could be true but isn't always).
"Before paper and pencil tests are given, oftentimes, people will experience things like trouble coming up with words or names," Dr. Caldwell says.
Dr. Caldwell adds that reduced attention or cognitive speed may also be a sign that something more significant, like brain disease, is happening. Again, Dr. Caldwell stresses that it's important not to default to panic mode if you notice these signs but, rather, flag it with your doctor.
"There are reasons why someone in their 40s or 50s might forget words, names and conversations and have some forgetfulness," Dr. Caldwell says. "The things that might bother us in our 40s or 50s—stress, lack of sleep, being sick, having too much on your to-do list or, even for women, menopause, can cause some of these types of changes."
These issues are treatable. And while brain disease itself may not be curable, it is treatable, and the earlier it is detected, the better. Hence, it's important to bring up concerns.
Related: ‘I’m a Neurologist, and This Is the Type of Nut I Swear by for Alzheimer’s Prevention'
What To Do if You're Concerned About Brain Health
Dr. Caldwell urges people to get evaluated for brain disease if they notice symptoms, regardless of age.
"If you are someone who is recognizing in a family member or yourself that thinking seems to have changed—maybe attention is worse or speed is quite slow or memory just doesn't seem sharp as it used to—there's no reason not to get an evaluation," Dr. Caldwell says. "Tell your doctor. In the best-case scenario, you will find out information about how to improve the situation. Maybe you find out you're sleep-deprived, and that is the number one thing on your list to change.”
If you make some lifestyle tweaks and don't notice change over time, Dr. Caldwell recommends a re-test. "It's important that if you go in, you have a test and [the doctor] says there's nothing wrong, but you and your family know something's changing...to keep in touch and get an assessment again in a year," Dr. Caldwell explains.
If the tests indicate you or a loved one has a brain disease, it can be devastating. However, Dr. Caldwell says there's hope. "You can get started right away on the treatments that might help to slow symptoms, more experimental treatments or even drugs these days that take amyloid out of the brain."
Dr. Caldwell explains that people can also double down on lifestyle tweaks that can help individuals with and without dementia, like:
Eating a nutritious diet
Sleep
Exercise
"Other examples of how to act in your 30s, 40s and 50s to protect your brain later include things like staying socially connected... and cognitively active," Dr. Caldwell says. "Make sure that you're getting a mental challenge. This challenge can come from work, or it can be things like brain games—just make sure you give yourself opportunities to learn."
Up next, learn more about the brain-healthy Mediterranean Diet (grocery list suggestions included)
Sources
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. CDC.
Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., the director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic
Microglial immunometabolism endophenotypes contribute to sex difference in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia.
