Five 'surprising' early signs of dementia that can easily be missed

03 June 2024 , 16:02

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Some symptoms of dementia are more subtle [file image] (Image: Getty Images)

Dementia is a heart-wrenching diagnosis that not only affects the individual but also their loved ones. It's a progressive disease that gradually erodes brain function.

Most of us are familiar with the more common, well-known symptoms. These encompass memory problems, confusion and changes in personality. However, experts suggest that the earliest signs of dementia can be "surprising" and often subtler than anticipated.

Katherine Rankin, a neuropsychologist at the University of California, suggests that any deviation from a person's normal behaviour or abilities could be a red flag, reports the Express. While these symptoms should warrant a trip to the GP, Dr Rankin emphasises that they are not "signs of dementia unless they are a change from someone's previous behaviour."

In a chat with Everyday Health, she revealed five early signs of dementia to look out for.

Struggling to detect sarcasm and lies

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Dr Rankin pointed out that individuals with dementia tend to struggle more with identifying sarcasm. She also cautioned that people find it difficult to discern when someone is lying, although those with Alzheimer's disease were able to do so.

Falling more frequently

Regular falls could be an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers. A study published in the Frontiers in Neuroscience journal in 2021 discovered that older individuals who later develop Alzheimer's disease are more likely to experience falls in the years leading up to their diagnosis compared to those without the condition.

"People will come into our office concerned because they forgot what was on their grocery list last week, but when their spouse says they've fallen four times in the past year, that's a sign of a problem," Dr Rankin said. Regular falls could also be a symptom of other brain disorders.

Disregarding the law and social norms

Dementia can cause some people to lose their sense of social norms and what is the law. According to a review published in the journal Cortex, people with the condition can also display inappropriate behaviour in relationships or make sexual comments or carry out inappropriate actions or even get involved in criminal behaviour.

This can lead to law breaking and can even affect those in their thirties and forties when out-of-character behaviour would be considered a sign of dementia. Dr Rankin added: "Obviously, the majority of people engaging in those behaviours don't have dementia. It's only when a previously law-abiding citizen starts to steal or do other things that are out of character that it becomes a concern for dementia."

Staring with 'reduced gaze'

People with dementia can lose the ability to move their eyes normally, a condition known medically as "reduced gaze". This makes them look like they're staring. They also may have trouble reading and can skip lines. The person with dementia might not be aware of this but people around them will be.

Eating objects and rancid food

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Consuming non-food items or expired foods can also be an unexpected symptom of dementia. For instance, a person with dementia might attempt to eat a flower from a restaurant table because, as Rankin explains, they "know they are there to eat but don't know what the flower is doing there."

Graeme Murray