Alzheimer's and Dementia Part 2 of 4

Early-stage Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms

The focus of early-stage Alzheimer's is cognitive decline. The Alzheimer's sufferer, as well as family, friends, co-workers, and medical practitioners start to notice the changes. Memory and concentration problems are evident and measurable by cognitive tests. Communication issues surface. Changes in personality and a few idiosyncratic behaviors begin to appear. As a result, the person's performance suffers both at home and at work. The apathy and lack of engagement that is characteristic of all three stages begins here.

Early signs and symptoms could include any of the following

• Cognitive and memory problems begin to appear
• Confusion
• Forgets names and words; might make up words, or quit talking to avoid mistakes
• Repeats questions, phrases or stories, in the same conversation
• Forgets their own history, recent personal events, and current events
• Less able to plan, organize, or think logically
• Increasing difficulty with routine tasks such as planning dinner, grocery shopping, paying bills
• Increasingly unable to make decisions; defers to others choices
• Poor judgment; decline in problem-solving skills
• Money and math problems
• Disoriented in time and place; may become lost in familiar places.
• Trouble concentrating and learning new things; avoids change
• Withdraws from social and mental challenges
• Misplaces valuable possessions; hides things or puts things away in strange places and then forgets where they are

Communication problems are observed

• May converse normally until a memory lapse occurs
• Begins to have difficulty expressing themselves
• Even if unable to speak well, can respond to what you tell them--to your emotional reactions, and to humor
• Increasing difficulty comprehending reading material

Personality changes are evident

• Apathetic, withdrawn, avoids people
• Anxious, irritable, agitated
• Insensitive to others feelings
• Easily angered when frustrated, tired, rushed, or surprised

Idiosyncratic behaviors start to develop

• Hoards, checks, or searches for objects of little value
• Forgets to eat, or eats constantly, or eats only one kind of food

When Alzheimer's has been diagnosed early, the loss of abilities is often mild, and with a little help, the individual can continue living independently much as they did before. In this early stage, some people experience minor physical compensations, such as falling asleep easily, or immunity to colds, but these positive aspects of Alzheimer's are short-lived. In fact, by the time this condition is diagnosed, some of the problems described above may have already progressed to the point where the individual is already in the middle stage of the disease, needing considerable caregiver support.

New Insights into Alzheimer's Research Learning how Alzheimer's disease begins is key to developing new therapeutics to slow or even prevent the disease. Researchers now believe that a failure in insulin processing in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Read Memory Special Report Johns Hopkins Health Alerts.

-Next week: Part 3 Mid State Alzheimer's Signs and Symptoms
Part 1