Alzheimer's is a disease that affects the elderly, right?
Why do young people get Alzheimer's?
What kind of symptoms will I experience?
When people hear the term Alzheimer's, many probably imagine it as a disease that affects the elderly.
While various factors can contribute to it, young people can also develop Alzheimer's disease.
This article will explain the causes and symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
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Causes of early-onset Alzheimer's disease
First, let's discuss the causes of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Genetics
Genetics is considered a possible cause of early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and numerous studies have been conducted on this topic. Many of these studies have yielded results related to chromosomes.
Lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
High blood pressure and diabetes are also said to be associated with the onset of dementia. Therefore, if high blood pressure or poorly controlled diabetes persists from a young age, the risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease in the future is thought to increase. Not only is excessively high blood pressure a risk factor for dementia in general, but excessively low blood pressure is also considered a risk factor for the onset of dementia.
Glucose, which is produced after sugar is broken down, is known to easily damage blood vessels. If high blood sugar levels persist, blood vessels become damaged and arteriosclerosis progresses. In a state of advanced arteriosclerosis, blood flow to the brain tends to decrease, increasing the risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Injuries caused by accidents, etc.
A severe blow to the head due to an accident can damage nerve cells in the brain, increasing the risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Besides accidents, falls from bicycles or motorcycles, and head injuries during sports should also be taken into consideration.
Alcohol and drugs
A history of excessive alcohol consumption or drug abuse is also a risk factor for early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease
Next, we will explain the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Memory impairment
Memory impairment is a prominent symptom of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. In the early stages, recent memories become difficult to recall, and as the disease progresses, even recent events become forgotten. Older memories tend to be relatively well-preserved.
I lose track of time and place.
Another characteristic is that perception of time and place becomes impaired.
You might think it's dawn even though it's daytime, or it might feel like summer even though it's winter. Also, you might get confused about your surroundings, and there are cases where people get lost and can't find their way back home after going out.
As your ability to recognize faces declines, you may find yourself unable to recognize the faces of people you know.
Changes in mood
In the early stages of the condition, individuals may notice changes in themselves, leading to a loss of confidence or a tendency towards depression. However, as the condition progresses, it is often observed that individuals become euphoric.
I'm speechless.
In some cases, symptoms known as "aphasia" may occur.
The symptoms that appear are often relatively mild aphasia, characterized by difficulty recalling names of objects and using roundabout language. This type of aphasia is called amnesic aphasia.
In cases of amnesic aphasia, for example, a person might have difficulty recalling the name "radish" and instead describe it as "a white vegetable, thick, with small leaves..."
The late stage of early-onset Alzheimer's disease is a condition called global aphasia.
Global aphasia is a condition in which all functions related to language are lost. Individuals with this condition are unable to read or write, speak, or understand language, and are largely unable to communicate.
Could smartphone use be causing early-onset Alzheimer's?
It has been suggested that smartphone addiction among young people may also be a cause of early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Looking at your smartphone releases dopamine, a hormone that produces feelings of pleasure. Since gambling and alcohol have similar effects, you may become addicted to your smartphone just as you would become addicted to gambling or alcohol.
Because the brains of young people are still developing, changes in hormone balance in the brain can occur, leading to symptoms similar to dementia. This condition is called "digital dementia," and it is said that 14% of those with digital dementia progress to early-onset dementia.
Smartphone use during a child's early stages of brain development requires strict restrictions and measures to prevent addiction.
summary
In this article, we have explained early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
While various factors can cause it, I hope you understand that it's important to pay attention to lifestyle habits and head injuries sustained during sports.
In the early stages of the illness, patients may experience mood swings because they notice changes in their memory and a decline in their ability to perceive things. Family support is essential during this time. It's important to understand the symptoms and causes thoroughly and provide appropriate support to the patient.
References
- Michihiro Kimura. "An attempt at a specialized outpatient clinic for early-onset Alzheimer's disease." Juntendo University School of Medicine 47.1 (2001): 15-22.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/pjmj/47/1/47_15/_pdf
・Fumitoshi Niwa. "Dementia and Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors." Journal of the Northern Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine 5.1 (2019): 2-9.
・Kazutoshi Adachi, and Tomoko Fujita. "The Current State of Digital Dementia in Universities." Kokushikan University Journal of Information Science 39 (2018): 14-21.
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Supervised by: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda
