Though the name may suggest early onset Alzheimer’s is simply Alzheimer’s disease that is detected early, in fact, it is classed as a variant of its own. Some research also suggests it’s more aggressive and progresses faster.

Here’s what available research says about this rare form of Alzheimer’s disease.

Genetic factors are associated with early onset Alzheimer’s, with research showing that certain rare genetic mutationsTrusted Source can cause the condition, specifically:

  • amyloid precursor protein (APP) on chromosome 21
  • presenilin 1 (PSEN1) on chromosome 14
  • presenilin 2 (PSEN2) on chromosome 1

Those with a family history of early onset Alzheimers are encouragedTrusted Source to undergo genetic counselingTrusted Source and genetic analysis to check for these single-gene variants, as they’re considered diagnostic biomarkers for the condition.

However, just 5% to 10% of people with early onset Alzheimer’s experience it due to these genes, while the majority are considered unexplained, sporadic cases.

Another notable difference in early onset Alzheimer’s is how the condition affects the brain.

While most standard cases of Alzheimer’s (affecting those over the age of 65) affect the hippocampus, which is largely responsible for memory, early onset Alzheimer’s influences the brain’s center for actions and thoughts — the cortex.

Instead of memory loss presenting as the most significant symptom, other changesTrusted Source occur, including differences in behavior, changes in speech and motor functions, difficulty with spatial awareness, or visual impairment.

Certain lifestyle factors are also involved in the development of this condition.

Discuss these risk factors with your doctor:

Management of early onset and late onset Alzheimer’s is similar, but some targeted strategies should be considered for those with early onset, including a focus on mental health and age-appropriate psychosocial support, as those with early onset experience moreTrusted Source generalized anxiety.

Though more studies on the condition overall are needed, growing researchTrusted Source points to early onset as much more aggressive than late onset.

One 2020 studyTrusted Source found that early onset Alzheimer’s has greater amounts of tau deposition, an unusual buildup of protein in the brain that’s associated with Alzheimer’s.

A 2022 review examined 30 studies that looked at the age of dementia symptom onset. Researchers found that the younger someone is with Alzheimer’s disease, the more progressive the condition becomes, meaning faster deterioration of vital brain functions.

Early onset Alzheimers is also associatedTrusted Source with a higher mortality risk than late onset Alzheimer’s.

It’s important to note that though the condition is more progressive, the exact rate at which it progresses varies from person to person.

Researchers agree that the best approach for lowering the risk of this condition is to identify and adjust changeable risk factors early on — like lowering high blood pressure, improving diet, exercising more, increasing socialization, quitting smoking, etc.

Detecting the condition early is important. Early diagnosis means finding effective treatment to reduce symptoms faster and more time to plan for the future.

However, early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis is often delayed, as many people in their 40s and 50s may not realize the seriousness of their symptoms, assuming they’re too young to experience a progressive memory loss condition.

It’s not uncommon for early onset Alzheimer’s to sneak by healthcare professionals, too, leading to misdiagnoses of psychiatric diseases, which means the proper care and treatment for early onset Alzheimers are delayed.

When testing for Alzheimer’s, healthcare providers use multiple modes of testing — brain imaging, blood tests, neurological exams, cognitive tests, and more — as there is no stand-alone test for the condition right now.

Treatment options for early onset Alzheimer’s are primarily medications that work to lower symptoms of memory loss.

These medications include:

Research on the condition is ongoing, and new medications are frequently being developed.

Alternatively, other options can be explored to help treat symptoms.

For symptoms like depression or anxiety, talk therapy can be beneficial for mood improvement, while cognitive stimulation therapyTrusted Source may help improve memory and boost quality of life. This form of therapy is usually done in groups and often involves enjoyable activities.

Certain care strategies for early onset Alzheimer’s can also be helpful, including:

  • keeping consistency through daily routines (these can be planned out with your caregiver or healthcare professional)
  • staying in a comfortable, familiar, and safe environment (this includes adjusting items throughout the home to make daily tasks easier to manage)
  • having an active, healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking and eating nutritious meals
  • quitting alcohol, which can interact with medications while adding to confusion and memory issues

Early onset Alzheimer’s presents in people under 65 years old. The condition is more aggressive, with faster progression than late onset Alzheimer’s, which is diagnosed in those older than 65.

Early onset Alzheimer’s is under-studied, but current research confirms that certain lifestyle adjustments like lowering blood pressure, quitting smoking, improving sleep, and getting more mental stimulation are excellent ways to reduce your risk of this condition.