Early Onset Alzheimers

When an individual develops Alzheimers disease before the age of 65, the condition is referred to as early onset Alzheimers.  This disorder can strike as young as 40 or 50 years of age, and there has been recorded a case of a patient contracting early onset Alzheimers at the age of 29; however, it usually occurs in someone in their 50’s.  The condition is highly uncommon though, corresponding to between 6 and 10 percent of all Alzheimers cases. 

Early Onset Alzheimers

It would seem that early onset Alzheimers results from a genetic anomaly, and specifically a defective gene located on chromosome 1, 14, or 21 triggers this disorder.  This defect disturbs production of the protein amyloid, and amyloid build-up in the brain is thought to be a major cause of Alzheimers disease. 

There have also been links tying Down’s syndrome (also a genetic abnormality on chromosome 21) and early onset Alzheimers.  The data surrounding this varies slightly; however, the general concensus is that 50% of individuals with Down’s syndrome develop Alzheimers sometime in their 50’s.  

Unfortunately, testing for early onset Alzheimers is difficult, as with any uncurable disease (only post-mortem tests are definite).  And since the disease is almost unpreventable, you must determine if there will actually be a benefit to you or your family to know that you are at a higher risk.  Even then, if you are determined to be in a high-risk situation, your doctor wouldn’t be able to tell you anywhere inside a 20 year range when you would develop the disease.  However, if you are concerned about early onset Alzheimers, or have experienced early stage Alzheimers symptoms, please don’t be nervous about talking to your doctor.