8 Ways To Spot Dementia 9 Years Before A Medical Diagnosis

In a world where memory lapses and cognitive slips can be dismissed as "just getting older," recognizing the early signs of dementia can be the key to unlocking crucial avenues of care and support.

Unfortunately, however, early signs of dementia can be elusive—especially in sporadic dementia changes.

You see, changes in brain structure and neuroimaging can be detectable 10 to 25 years before symptom onset of genetic dementia patients (i.e., those with a gene mutation linked to dementia risk). 

Sporadic dementia cases aren't as easy to assess, but a 2022 Alzheimer's & Dementia review outlines eight early signs of dementia that can become apparent up to nine years before a medical diagnosis.

In the review, researchers analyzed data from the U.K. Biobank cohort study, which follows more than 500,000 individuals of the general population between the ages of 40 and 69, to look for early manifestations of neurodegenerative diseases—including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia (aka dementia with Lewy bodies). 

They found several early signs of cognitive and functional changes common in these three types of dementia. It's worth noting that these pre-diagnostic signs were strongest in Alzheimer's patients but detected in frontotemporal and Lewy body dementia patients as well. 

Catching these signs can initiate early intervention in sporadic dementia cases, helping to slow the progression of these debilitating diseases.

The ability to recall visual information worsens (e.g., a familiar face like your neighbor's or place like your local grocery store).

Functional changes:

No matter your age, genetics, or baseline cognitive health, there are many lifestyle habits you can incorporate into your everyday routine to help promote brain longevity. 

When you know what to look for, you can spot early signs of dementia almost a decade before a medical diagnosis.