9 Surprising Early Signs of Dementia That Have Nothing to Do with Memory
Blanking out on people’s names, forgetting appointments, having problems with short-term memory—these are classic memory symptoms of early dementia. But memory problems aren’t the only signs of dementia. In fact, there are many other behavioral changes that don’t have anything to do with memory that can be an indicator you’re heading for Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Memory problems aren’t the only signs of dementia.
The neuropsychiatrists at Amen Clinics, the global leader in brain health, have worked with thousands of people who don’t realize their changing behaviors could be warning signs of dementia. For example, a highly successful businessman who had always played by the rules reached out for help after his once-wonderful life started falling apart. In his 50s he suddenly began gambling heavily, having extramarital affairs, and engaging in illegal activities at work. With his gambling and bad investments, he lost millions of dollars, nearly lost his wife of 30-plus years, and got arrested for insider trading. He didn’t know why he was acting so out of character but couldn’t stop himself.
At Amen Clinics, his brain SPECT imaging studies showed decreased blood flow and low activity in his frontal lobes and temporal lobes, a pattern commonly seen in a type of dementia called frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Even though the man didn’t have any problems with forgetfulness, his brain scans helped him understand what was causing his behavior changes, and he got started on a memory rescue program before forgetfulness emerged.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is more effective when it is started early. That’s why you need to be aware of possible indicators of this dreaded disease.
Here are 9 early warning signs of dementia you should investigate.
1. Breaking the law.
Law-abiding citizens who suddenly begin stealing, trespassing, or driving recklessly may be exhibiting early signs of dementia, in particular FTD. A 2015 study in JAMA Neurology found that in 14% of people with FTD, breaking laws was the first sign of dementia.2. Eating weird stuff.
Changes in appetite and the foods you crave are an early warning sign of dementia, according to a 2015 Japanese study in Plos One. Some people with dementia will eat food that is rancid or spoiled or may eat non-food objects, such as flowers. These odd changes may be due to the fact that dementia attacks parts of the brain that regulate appetite and taste buds. A letter to the editor published in a 2011 issue of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society describes a disturbing case of an 83-year-old woman with mild to moderate dementia eating her own feces.3. Falling more frequently.
Do you find yourself tripping or falling more often? Be aware that a 2013 brain imaging study in the journal Neurology that involved 125 older adults found that those who fell most frequently were more likely to have the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. According to the study, falls as well as changes in gait may precede any cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Other findings in JAMA Neurology found that poor physical performance in a variety of areas—walking, going from sitting to standing, balancing while standing, and grip strength—increases the risk of dementia in people over 90 years of age. As dementia progresses, fine motor skills begin to decline and mobility problems increase, making falls even more common.4. Gum disease.
The human mouth plays host to an estimated 700 different species of bacteria. The bacteria that lead to gum disease are also linked to the development of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2020 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. A growing body of research, including findings in the Journal of Periodontology, has shown that periodontal (gum) disease is a risk factor for dementia. Gum disease is associated with inflammation, which has been linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day after meals and floss daily: Flossing your teeth is a brain health and memory exercise! And see a dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.5. Inability to pick up on sarcasm.
If sarcastic remarks are going over your head, it may be related to dementia, according to 2009 brain imaging research from the University of California, San Francisco. This study shows that the ability to discern sarcasm and other ironic speech in face-to-face encounters is diminished in people with Alzheimer’s or FTD.6. Engaging in compulsive behaviors.
An unexpected sign of early dementia in some people is a tendency to develop new compulsive behaviors or rituals. For example, becoming a hoarder later in life may signal trouble. Research from UCLA that looked at patients with FTD or Alzheimer’s disease found that 38% of those with FTD and 10% of those with Alzheimer’s exhibited compulsive behaviors. More recent findings in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry suggest that in people with early FTD, these behaviors are more likely impulse-driven due to harmful changes in the frontal lobes, which are heavily involved in impulse control.7. Your sense of smell is off.
Are you unable to distinguish scents like cinnamon, baby powder, or gasoline? This could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s. According to a 2018 study in Biosensors, having trouble with sense of smell (called anosmia) is one of the earliest preclinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Other research in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has found that the brains of people with olfactory dysfunction often have the same harmful changes as those seen in Alzheimer’s patients. There is evidence, including a 2016 study from Aristotle University in Greece, that repeated exposure to certain odors can improve the ability to smell. Some suggested scents from essential oils include rose, lemon, cloves, and eucalyptus.8. Having depression.
Depression doubles the risk of cognitive impairment in women and quadruples it in men. Research in the Archives of General Psychiatry evaluated 5,781 elderly women with tests of mood and memory. Women with 3-5 depressive symptoms were at 60% greater odds for cognitive deterioration, and women with 6 or more depressive symptoms were 230% more likely to have problems! The researchers concluded that depression in older women is associated with both poor cognitive function and subsequent cognitive decline. Research in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry shows that late-life depression may, in fact, be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. It is critical to get depression treated in order to keep your mind. Late-life depression may be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.9. Having ADHD or other untreated mental health problems.
A 2019 study in the Journal of Attention Disorders shows that adults with ADHD are over 3 times more likely to develop dementia compared with those who don’t have ADHD, which affects about 4.4% of American adults. Multiple studies have shown that other untreated mental health disorders significantly increase the risk of memory problems. Research shows increased dementia risk with:- Bipolar disorder (JAMDA, 2015)
- Schizophrenia (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2018)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (Current Psychiatry Reports, 2017)
- Chronic stress (BMJ Open, 2013)
