What Is Early-Onset Dementia?

Various forms of dementia have been identified to explain and diagnose cognitive decline. Often, these forms are diagnosed in one’s older age, around their 60s to 70s. However, in rarer cases, dementia may be diagnosed early. Understanding early-onset dementia and the signs it may be occurring can be a step toward early intervention and support. 

What is early-onset dementia? 

Early-onset dementia, or young-onset dementia, can refer to the earlier onset of a group of diseases that can affect a person’s memory, cognition, and behavior. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, 131,000 commercially insured Americans aged 30 to 64 were diagnosed with early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, a 200% increase from 2013. This trend may underscore the importance of understanding dementia and how it can impact individuals at earlier ages. 

What is dementia?

While the term “dementia” may be incorrectly used to refer to a natural decline in cognition as individuals get older, it is not a typical part of aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), age-related changes in memory may occur in older adults. Still, these can differ from the symptoms and signs of dementia. These symptoms and signs in older adults may include the following: 

• Using the incorrect word for a familiar object

• Struggling with reasoning and judgment 

• Difficulty completing simple tasks

• Struggling to remember how to get home

• Difficulty communicating with others

• Struggling to stay attentive

• Forgetting words or names for loved ones 

Symptoms of early-onset dementia 

Early onset Alzheimer's disease: Initial symptoms and progression

Early symptoms of dementia may vary depending on the specific disease they are living with. For example, the initial symptoms of one of the most common forms of early-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, may include the following: 

• Struggling to remember important dates

• Difficulty understanding the passage of time, including days of the week or seasons

• Problem-solving challenges

• Challenges with vision

• Poor judgment

• Social withdrawal

• Shifts in personality and mood

• Difficulty remembering new information 

Memory loss and other symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's disease

As early-onset Alzheimer’s progresses, new dementia-like symptoms or more severe versions of old symptoms may develop. These may include the following: 

• Worsening memory loss

• Paranoia concerning loved ones or caregivers

• Difficulty swallowing

• Struggling to speak

• Difficulty walking

• Severe confusion 

• Significant changes in mood and behavior 

Risk factors for early-onset Alzheimer’s

Early-onset Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia may involve various risk factors that could increase the chances of development. While specific risk factors may depend on what disease a person is experiencing, certain aspects of an individual's health and lifestyle may increase their chances of developing dementia. 

What are the risk factors for early-onset dementia? 

In a 2024 study using data from the UK Biobank, researchers looked to determine the factors that are associated with the incidence of early-onset dementia (referred to in the study as “young-onset dementia”). The study involved a baseline assessment between 2006 and 2010 of 356,052 participants (55.3% women and 44.7% men) with a mean age of 54.6 years. 

Early onset dementia risk factors

A follow-up assessment occurred in March of 2021 for participants in England and Scotland and February 2018 for participants in Wales. Participants were assessed based on a variety of factors, including the following: 

• Education

• Socioeconomic status

• Genetics

• Lifestyle

• Substance use 

• Eating

• Social isolation

• Marital status

• Cognitive activity 

• Blood marker factors

• Psychiatric factors

• Cardiometabolic factors

• Family history of developing dementia 

Based on these and other parameters, researchers identified 15 factors associated with a higher risk of developing young-onset dementia. These factors included the following: 

• Lower socioeconomic status

• No alcohol use

• Alcohol use disorder

• Hearing impairment

• Vitamin D deficiency 

• Orthostatic hypertension

• Lower formal education

• High C-reactive protein levels

• Lower handgrip strength

• The presence of two Apolipoprotein e4 alleles

• Diabetes

• Depression

• Heart disease

• Stroke 

Of these factors, many were considered by researchers to be modifiable. As such, these specific risk factors might be incorporated into future prevention initiatives or treatments for those living with early or young-onset dementia. 

Early-onset dementia preventions and treatments

According to the UK Alzheimer’s Society, there may be several preventative measures that could reduce your risk of dementia and common symptoms. These measures may include the following. 

Exercising

Physical activity may reduce dementia risk. The UK Alzheimer’s Society estimates that regular exercise may reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia by approximately 28%. Exercise may also reduce cognitive decline later in life and improve thinking skills. 

Reducing alcohol intake 

Overconsumption of alcohol and the associated exposure to harmful chemicals can also contribute to the development of dementia. It is recommended that those who drink alcohol do so within recommended limits, which may be less than 14 units of alcohol per week. Depending on where a person lives, a unit may be defined as a single glass of beer, a small glass of wine, or one ounce of spirits. Exceeding this amount can increase the risk of dementia and may result in organ damage and a higher risk of other diseases. 

Managing mental health

Certain mental health conditions, such as depression, may increase an individual's risk of developing dementia and can cause symptoms similar to early dementia signs. While not everyone with depression develops dementia, and it may not be clear whether depression treatment can help with dementia risk, it can still be beneficial to seek treatment for depression.  

Managing physical health

Certain long-term health conditions may raise a person’s risk of developing dementia. For example, those with type 2 diabetes, a condition that can cause the nerve cells in the body to respond incorrectly to or produce less insulin, may be at a higher risk. Additionally, high blood pressure—particularly in those between the ages of 40 and 64 years of age—may increase the chances that someone develops dementia. This risk is especially high for vascular dementia, which may be caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. 

Staying socially active for memory loss

Social isolation can be a symptom of dementia and may increase the risk that a person without dementia could develop one of these diseases. While the precise connection between isolation and increased dementia risk may not be known, some theorize it may concern the associated lifestyle and health challenges that lonelier individuals encounter. To combat these risks, finding ways to maintain contact with friends and family or join social groups that meet regularly may be helpful. 

Quitting smoking

In addition to increasing dementia risk, smoking may raise an individual's risk of developing other diseases, including cardiovascular disease and various cancers. While stopping smoking can be difficult, it may be helpful to discuss cessation medications with your doctor or try potentially less harmful nicotine products such as gum, patches, or lozenges. 

Mental health treatments for early-onset dementia

The treatments for early-onset dementia can vary based on the type of dementia a person is experiencing. For example, in cases of early-onset dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer’s disease, certain prescription medications may be used to reduce symptom severity. These medications may include galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and, for more severe cases, memantine. Some types of dementia, such as frontotemporal and vascular dementia, may not have any specific recommended medications.

However, non-medication forms of treatment, such as cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), may also be helpful. Cognitive stimulation therapy may improve language, reduce memory problems, and increase critical thinking skills in individuals with dementia. In one study, researchers looked to determine whether CST could help individuals with dementia improve cognition and quality of life. Of the 201 participants, 115 underwent CST, while the remainder were placed in a control group. The CST group showed significant improvements compared to the control group, indicating that CST may benefit those experiencing dementia. 

Alternative support options for early-onset dementia

While CST and other forms of therapy may be beneficial to those with dementia and other diseases, in-person therapy may not be accessible or comfortable for everyone. Some may want to attend therapy sessions from their home instead of commuting to face-to-face sessions, while others may prefer other forms of communication. These alternative communication formats may include communicating with a therapist through phone calls, texting, or video chats. In some cases, individuals may live in health professional shortage areas—regions where specific types of healthcare providers, including mental health professionals, may be in short supply. In these situations, exploring alternatives to in-person therapy, such as online therapy, may be beneficial. 

Through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, clients can access therapists from around the world with experience treating various conditions via phone, video, or live chat sessions. In addition, they can choose a session time that works for them and the therapist, often outside of standard business hours. 

Research indicates that online and in-person therapy can have the same levels of efficacy. In a 2022 systematic review of trials comparing telehealth and face-to-face psychotherapy, researchers assessed how each therapeutic approach impacted symptoms, function, working alliance, and client satisfaction. They found no significant differences between each approach's ability to influence these outcomes, implying that in-person and online therapy can effectively treat certain mental and physical conditions.