Early-onset Alzheimer's disease shows different warning signs from established risk factors
A study by the University of Oulu and the University of Eastern Finland found that people who developed Alzheimer's disease before the age of 65 accumulated a wide range of health problems, particularly during the five years preceding diagnosis. Compared with matched controls, they were more likely to experience depression, dizziness, headaches, traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, cerebrovascular…
A study by the University of Oulu and the University of Eastern Finland discovered that individuals who developed Alzheimer's disease before the age of 65 exhibited a diverse array of health issues, especially in the five years leading up to their diagnosis. Compared to control subjects, they were more prone to depression, dizziness, headaches, traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, thyroid diseases, and alcohol-related problems.
Tinnitus and hearing loss were already prevalent six to ten years prior to diagnosis. Unexpectedly, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels were not more prevalent among early-onset Alzheimer's patients than in the control group. The research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, revealed that cardiovascular risk factors, typically known risk factors for Alzheimer's, were not more common among early-onset patients compared to controls.
The investigation examined health conditions and diseases occurring within the 15 years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis in individuals diagnosed before age 65. The findings suggest that early-onset Alzheimer's disease may involve different mechanisms compared to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Lead investigator Johanna Krüger noted that rather than familiar cardiovascular risk factors, a range of other health problems became more common as diagnosis approached.
Health care utilization also increased significantly during the five years preceding diagnosis, with the greatest surge in visits occurring in the final year. The study's first author, Laura Leppänen, emphasized the importance of recognizing a pattern of seemingly unrelated symptoms and healthcare encounters in the years before diagnosis, which could help detect neurodegenerative diseases earlier.
The researchers analyzed patient data from memory clinics and combined it with nationwide health registry data, comparing 407 early-onset Alzheimer's patients to over 4,000 matched controls.
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