Subtle Shifts in Daily Life May Signal onset of Alzheimer’s, Expert Warns
ISTANBUL - Difficulty understanding spatial relationships, increased forgetfulness, and a decline in cognitive engagement could be early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, according to Professor Dr. Özgür bilgin Topçuoğlu. While not all forgetfulness equates to the disease, recognizing subtle changes in daily functioning is crucial for early detection and potential mitigation.
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions worldwide, with numbers projected to rise dramatically as populations age. Early diagnosis allows for proactive management of symptoms and participation in clinical trials, potentially delaying the disease’s progression. Dr. Topçuoğlu emphasizes that while a cure remains elusive, lifestyle factors can significantly impact when symptoms manifest.
Dr. Topçuoğlu explained that difficulty with spatial awareness – such as misjudging distances when reaching for objects or attempting to step off a window ledge to retrieve something – can be a symptom. He also cautioned against dismissing forgetfulness, stating, “Forgetfulness is a symptom. Alzheimer can be seen in many diseases or medical situations…from some vitamins or mineral deficiencies to brain tumors.”
Several factors can increase an individual’s risk, including age, family history, head trauma, a history of depression, cardiovascular or brain-vessel diseases, lower education levels, and being an apoe4 carrier.
Though, Dr. Topçuoğlu offered a hopeful perspective, noting that maintaining an active and engaged lifestyle can postpone the onset of symptoms. “Although the treatment studies to prevent the mechanism of occurrence of the disease…the brain shines,” he said. ”In the educated, social life, the symptoms of the people who try to produce are much later.”
