When an elderly person in our house, that is, our mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, starts to forget things little by little, and when they ask the same thing over and over again, a little fear comes to our hearts, doesn't it? The question "Is this the beginning of Alzheimer's Disease?" makes us worry. In fact, when we hear Alzheimer's disease, what comes to our mind is a sad situation where we gradually lose our memory, cannot do even familiar tasks, and eventually forget who we are. That's true. But did you know that there are several main types of this disease, depending on the way it develops, that is, the age at which the disease begins and the causes? Let's talk about this simply today.
Although the types of the disease vary, the common symptoms are the same.
First, let's understand this. Regardless of the type of Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms that almost all patients experience over time are very similar.
- Memory loss: Forgetting things, especially recent ones.
- Confusion: Confusion about things like time, place, and days.
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks: Difficulty performing even simple tasks like making tea or putting on clothes by yourself.
- Difficulty making decisions: Feeling lost, unable to make even a simple decision.
The underlying cause of all this is the accumulation of a type of protein called `amyloid beta peptides` in the nerve cells of our brain. Simply put, this is like a kind of "garbage" that accumulates in the brain. Normally, our brain removes this kind of unnecessary stuff. But in Alzheimer's disease, this process does not happen properly. Then these proteins accumulate and form plaques and tangles in the brain. Because of this, the flow of information between brain cells stops, and the cells gradually die. Regardless of the type of disease, this process is common.
The two main types of Alzheimer's disease
Depending on the age of onset, we divide it into two main types. See the table below to understand the differences between these two types.
| Feature | Early-onset Alzheimer's | Late-onset Alzheimer's |
|---|---|---|
| Age of onset of the disease | Under 65 years of age. Usually in their 40s-50s. | 65 years or older. |
| Commonness | Very rare, occurring in less than 5% of all patients. | This is the most common type. |
| The possibility of passing on generations | There is often a strong genetic link. | It can develop whether or not someone in the family has it. The specific gene has not yet been identified. |
| Brain changes | More plaques and tangles can be seen in the brain. There is more brain shrinkage. | Even if brain changes occur, they may be relatively minor. |
| Other features | Sudden muscle twitching/jerking (myoclonus) may be seen. | Memory loss emerges as the main symptom. |
Early-onset Alzheimer's
This may sound a bit surprising. But yes, some people can develop Alzheimer's disease as young as 40 or 50 years old. This is a very rare condition. It is mainly caused by genetic defects . Specifically, it has been found that this condition is caused by defects in chromosomes 1, 14, and 21, which contain genetic information in our body. Also, people with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of developing this type of Alzheimer's disease.
Late-onset Alzheimer's
This is the most common type of Alzheimer's we all know. Symptoms usually start to appear after the age of 65. Sometimes it can run in families. This means that if a mother has it, her child may be at risk of developing it. However, it has not yet been found to be caused by a specific gene, such as the type that develops at a young age. Therefore, doctors and scientists are still researching why some people develop it and others do not.
What is Familial Alzheimer's Disease (FAD)?
There's something that many people get confused about here. "Someone in the family had it" and "Familial Autism Spectrum Disorder (FAD)" are two different things.
Familial Alzheimer's Disease (FAD) is a condition that doctors are 100% certain is caused by genetic factors. To be diagnosed with it, at least two generations of the family (for example, a grandmother and a mother) must have had the disease. It is very rare, accounting for less than 1% of all Alzheimer's patients. Most people who develop Alzheimer's at a young age have this type of FAD.
If you or someone in your family is having memory problems, don't just assume, "This is just an old-fashioned thing" or "it's just a family history." It could be a treatable condition. So the best thing to do is see your doctor as soon as possible and get a proper diagnosis.
Take-Home Message
- Alzheimer's disease can come in several forms. This classification is mainly based on the age at which the disease begins (early-onset and late-onset).
- The early-onset type, which develops in people under the age of 65, is very rare. It has a strong genetic link.
- A specific genetic cause has not yet been found for the late-onset type that we see most often, which develops after the age of 65.
- Don't assume that just because someone in your family has Alzheimer's, you will get it too. But it's important to be aware of the risk.
- In the case of any memory-related problem, seeking medical advice immediately rather than ignoring it is of great help to both the patient and the family.
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