Saturday 22/November/2025 – 09:15 PM
revealed study Memory loss may not be the first warning sign of dementia, although most people link it to Alzheimer’s disease, as results indicate that depression and mental deterioration may appear in the early stages, before memory problems appear.
Study: Memory loss may not be the first sign of dementia
According to Getsurrey, dementia is a term that includes several conditions that cause a gradual deterioration in brain function, most notably Alzheimer’s disease, which is usually characterized by a decline in memory and mental abilities that affects daily life. Although there is no definitive cure, early detection can slow its progression and help patients and their families maintain their quality of life for longer.
The researchers analyzed studies published between 1937 and 2016 to identify warning signs before Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and found that depression and mental decline appeared first in most participants: 98.5% and 99.1% in cases of late Alzheimer’s, and 9% and 80% in early cases. While memory deterioration appeared about 12 years before the clinical diagnosis of advanced Alzheimer’s.
The study indicated that nervous and depressive behaviors may appear early, but identifying depression may be difficult, especially when it is linked to dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms shared by depression and dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, include:
- Indifference
- Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor thinking
