Should we worry about Early-Onset Alzheimers?

Should You Worry About Early-Onset Alzheimer’s?

Pat Summitt Diagnosis Raises Questions - By Joy Manning

 

 

 

 

When news broke earlier this week that Pat Summitt, legendary coach of the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team, had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, it suddenly felt like the debilitating brain disease could strike anyone. Still in her 50s, Summitt seemed invincible on the court and in life, thanks to her visionary coaching and unlimited energy.

But her diagnosis is a sobering reminder that Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia characterized by impaired intelligence, memory and cognitive functioning, can strike healthy adults in the prime of their lives and careers. People can begin showing symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s as early in life as their 20s, though it’s patients in their 50s who are most likely to receive this diagnosis, according to Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a clinical neuropsychologist and professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“Early-onset Alzheimer’s  is rare,” says Dr. Nussbaum.  “Only about 3 to 5 percent of Alzheimer’s cases are early onset, but it’s devastating.”

Part of the problem inherent in early-onset Alzheimer’s is delayed diagnosis, which can leave sufferers short on time to plan for their care or implement changes that could extend their quality of life. According to Nussbaum, it’s normal in your 50s to start experiencing some mild forgetfulness or trouble with names, but some people willfully ignore a pattern of events and symptoms – just as Pat Summitt did for an entire year – and that’s a mistake you don’t want to make.

Symptoms to Watch
It’s time to see the doctor for an evaluation if:
• You notice a cluster of memory lapses
• People tell you that you’re frequently repeating yourself
• Friends and loved ones say your personality has changed

Be especially cautious if you have a family member with Alzheimer’s, have ever experienced a head injury, or have a history of depression — all of these elevate your risk of Alzheimer’s though the reasons why aren’t well understood.

Early-Onset Risk Factors
Even in the absence of the above risk factors, you should see the doctor if you notice symptoms. “Some cases, especially early-onset cases, seem to have a genetic component, but most of the time we just don’t know why this happens. We don’t know what causes this disease,” says Dr. Nussbaum.

In addition to seeming to have a stronger genetic link, early-onset Alzheimer’s is associated with a different group of chromosomes, though the symptoms and treatments are the same as with the typical form of the disease. “It’s also believed that early-onset Alzheimer’s is the more aggressive form,” says Dr. Nussbaum. If Alzheimer’s does, in fact, progress more swiftly when it’s diagnosed before the age of 65, it only underscores the urgency of beginning treatment immediately.

“The drugs we have work best when the disease is at the earliest stages. Once it progresses, they don’t work as well,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “The value of a thorough evaluation—early diagnosis—is greater than the risk of confronting your fears.”

What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s
Medication isn’t the only weapon that can help people live fully with Alzheimer’s, particularly when it’s diagnosed early. Lifestyle changes can extend quality of life while delaying the progression of the disease. Much of the standard advice for good health is particularly crucial for Alzheimer’s patients, especially eating plenty of Omega-3s and antioxidants and getting enough exercise. But perhaps the most important part of the body to work out is the brain.

“Seeking out mental stimulation–like reading, writing and traveling, for example–have been shown to build up something called brain reserve,” says Dr. Nussbaum. What this means is that you can make the connections in your brain more and more robust by taking on new mental challenges. The denser these connections, the longer it will be before you show symptoms of Alzheimer’s even if you have it.

In fact, autopsies show that many people who were living with Alzheimer’s never knew they had it due to particularly robust brain reserves that resulted from an intellectually rich and challenging life. Given the demands of her career and the challenging nature of coaching, Summitt may have the brain reserves to hold off symptoms and continue her professional winning streak for years to come, as she plans, providing inspiration far beyond the basketball court.