What are The five early signs of dementia? And what to do about it?

Classically, people will tell you that memory loss, difficulty in word finding, inability to perform regular tasks, getting lost in familiar places, and subtle changes in personality are hallmark signs of early dementia.

But these are occurring when the brain is already very compromised. Now we are being told changes in the folding of relevant proteins can be detected in the blood and retina decades before any symptoms occur.

That is indeed early, but without intervention is not going to prove too useful in someone who is otherwise ok. But are they?

What is provoking these changes?

Is it a disease process or response to other factors?

That is not confirmed. But what we know is that there are relevant associations with dementia throughout life that increase the risk of developing dementia when they occur together.

The main non-genetic ones are: age, education, obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and inactivity.

Therefore, assuming age is something we can not change, these could be the five early signs of incipient dementia. And like the blood tests, these changes occur decades before symptoms occur as well.
When you add in diabetes, poor sleep, alcohol intake, stress, and cognitive reserve, it becomes quite clear that a risk matrix can be developed across the age span, starting with genetics, through education and lifestyle, and then emerging chronic conditions.

Many of these factors can be mitigated or managed, particularly with diet, exercise, and available treatments.

By developing a personal matrix aimed at keeping the brain as healthy as possible, any person can choose and direct their own journey.

myAVOS is a smartphone application developed by OptiChronix, which creates this matrix and teaches self-directed care through behavioral and other interventions.

This can completely change the way dementia is approached.

It ceases to be an older person’s disorder but a consequence of inborn and environmental interactions that occur through life — many of which can be reversed.

That is not to say dementia is self-inflicted, but there is a wealth of scientific evidence now that shows lifestyle modification can have significant impacts.

The important factor is that this is a person-driven approach, giving the knowledge and tools to mitigate identified risks alongside regular care.

How does this approach help knowledge going forward?

Many of the lifestyle factors in dementia have been studied from midlife onwards. Many people in their early sixties are already on two to three treatments. So an overweight 55-year-old man on statins and blood pressure medication already has a higher risk of dementia. But has he been told that, or just reassured his current disorders are ok?

This would now be the time to use these new blood tests for dementia or a retinal scan to see if those changes are occurring.

If they are, the personal incentive to try lifestyle modification should be reinforced and may have an impact, with significant rewards down the line.

What is the incentive to be tested without an intervention like lifestyle modification?

Also, if population screening were ever considered, it requires an inexpensive intervention. This model supplies that.

Finally, in the search for new treatments, this model can identify suitable populations to study in a timely way and hasten the development of potential pharmacological interventions.

So what are the five early signs of dementia?

Genetic risk is always a factor. But outside of that:

1. Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular health has a strong association with later dementia. In fact prevalence of dementia has dropped in the western world because of high-quality primary care.

2. Nutrition

Declining standards of personal nutrition as food prices increase increases the risk of dementia later in life. This is going to remain an ongoing problem that needs serious global attention.

3. Activity

Increased inactivity often increases with aging. Maintaining an exercise program can help stimulate the body and brain to help mitigate risks later in life.

4. Mental Health

Lack of social and mental stimulation is important for everyone. One Swedish study showed improvement in cognition with increased social contact alone.

5. Cognitive Activity

Changes in your baseline cognitive activity often are among the first signs. This is easier to follow if you know how you were before any symptoms emerge.

Where do we go from here?

This being the case, much can be actively done while we wait for the pharmaceutical industry to deliver the magic bullet.

Some of this is public health-led, but when it comes to an individual brain, we turn to the old adage; if you want something done properly, it’s best to do it yourself.

If you’re between the ages of 40 and 65, now is the perfect time to focus on prevention and take control of your health! By using a digital health coach app like myAVOS, you can get personalized coaching and guidance on how to live a healthy and fulfilling life. So what are you waiting for?

Download myAVOS from the AppStore today and start your journey to better health and well-being!

A short impression of the capabilities of myAVOS can be seen here on our youTube channel.

For more articles and information, click here.

credits: Meet Roger Bullock MD, a highly accomplished geriatric psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in the field of psychiatry. Roger completed his medical training at Keble College, Oxford University, and clinical medical training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. He specialized in psychiatry, specifically geriatric psychiatry, and established the Kingshill Research Centre. With an extensive career, Roger has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, several books, and chapters. He also served as Clinical Tutor and Academic Secretary of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry for 8 years. Roger is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and has received awards and recognition for his contributions to the field of mental health.