Explained: Is forgetfulness a key indicator of Alzheimer's disease? Experts tell when to seek help
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While age is one of the prominent factors resulting in Alzheimer's disease, other reasons such as genetics and trauma also play a major role
While age is one of the prominent factors resulting in Alzheimer's disease, other reasons such as genetics and trauma also play a major role
Memory loss is among other health-related problems that come with old age. Forgetfulness is treated as a normal part of ageing, but when it comes to dementia, it's not normal. Dementia includes the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, learning and reasoning.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Notably, everyone with forgetfulness doesn't have Alzheimer's. Experts have often noted that there are many causes of memory loss and cognitive decline, ranging from stress and depression to medications and other medical conditions.
People frequently ask whether or not forgetfulness is always a sign of Alzheimer's disease and when exactly to seek help. Well, forgetfulness can indeed be a sign of Alzheimer's disease, especially when it is persistent and begins to interfere with daily life.
While occasional forgetfulness is common for many people, particularly as they age, Alzheimer's disease involves progressive cognitive decline that goes beyond normal age-related changes.
WION reached out to experts to know more about it and get detailed insight into what exactly needs to be done when we come across someone who is experiencing persistent or worsening forgetfulness or other cognitive symptoms.
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Is forgetfulness always a sign of Alzheimer's disease?
Dr Mahendra JV, HOD & Consultant - Department of Neurology, Ramaiah Institute of Neurosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital told WION, "Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking and behaviour. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases."
Dr Mahendra explained that it is critical to distinguish between normal age-related forgetfulness and symptoms that will indicate Alzheimer's. He said that normal forgetfulness can include losing things from time to time or occasionally forgetting names but remembering them later.
In contrast, Alzheimer's-related memory loss includes forgetting recently learned information, asking the same questions repeatedly, or having trouble with familiar tasks like managing finances or following a recipe.
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Dr VP Singh, Chairman, Neurosurgery, Neurosciences, Medanta, Gurugram told WION, "It's important to know the difference between benign memory lapses and something more serious like Alzheimer's disease."
Forgetfulness in Alzheimer's tends to be more severe and it disrupts daily life, Dr Singh added.
Dr Nishant Shanker Yagnick – Consultant, Neurosurgery- Manipal Hospital, Gurugram told WION, "Memory of an individual can also be impacted by depression and anxiety. Addressing these conditions can help in the improvement of memory. Quality sleep is important for good mental health. Conditions like vitamin deficiencies and thyroid and chronic infections also affect memory. These are curable conditions and treating the underlying condition can also restore the functioning of the brain."
Dr Ritu Jha, Director & HOD - Neurology, Neurosciences, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad told WION, "Dementia is diagnosed after ruling out common reversible conditions like medication overdose, emotional disturbances, hormonal imbalance, vitamin B12 deficiency or some structural lesion in the brain."
When should one seek help for memory loss?
While age is one of the prominent factors resulting in Alzheimer's disease, genetics also play a major role. Most cases are not directly inherited, having a family history of the condition increases the risk. Specific genes such as the APOE ε4 allele are known to influence susceptibility to Alzheimer's.
A history of severe head trauma, particularly repeated concussions, has been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life. Factors such as low levels of education, social isolation, and certain sleep disorders may also contribute to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.
All experts said that early diagnosis is the key to managing Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Experts have said that if you or a loved one are experiencing frequent memory lapses, it is essential to seek medical advice.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can lead to better management of the condition and improve the quality of life. It can also provide access to treatments that help slow the progression of symptoms.
Dr Yagnick said, "Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is one of the treatment options being explored for Alzheimer's. It involves implanting a device that sends electrical signals to specific areas of the brain. These signals can help regulate abnormal impulses in the brain, potentially improving cognitive function and memory. While still in the experimental stages for Alzheimer's, DBS has shown promise in treating other neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease."
