Early onset Dementia.
Early onset Alzheimer’s dementia usually occurs in those less than 65 years of age
Early onset dementia tends to be a more aggressive dementia than late onset dementia
Early-onset dementia may have predominant cognitive deficits other than memory loss
Often presents with neuropsychiatric features out-of-proportion to any cognitive deficits such as personality change, aggression
Early onset dementia tend to have early signs of dyspraxia (poor planning skills and co-ordination, dysphasia- impaired language, speaking, understanding and communication, and agnosia- loss of ability to identify and recognise familiar objects and people
Tends to run in first degree relatives in families
Tends to be more rapidly progressive than late onset dementia
Patients with early onset dementia are more likely than those with late onset
dementia to be misdiagnosed, have dementias other than Alzheimer’s disease, or have a potentially treatable or preventable etiology
It is so important to get an early diagnosis of early onset dementia to allow for appropriate treatment and management
For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.