Teenage Alzheimer’s Case in China: World’s Youngest Diagnosis

A 19-year-old teenager from China has become the youngest individual ever diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, baffling medical experts worldwide. The diagnosis, conducted in 2023 by neurologists at Capital Medical University in Beijing, came after the patient exhibited memory decline starting at age 17.

Unprecedented Case of Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

The patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated, ultimately forcing him to discontinue his secondary school education. Brain imaging revealed shrinkage in the hippocampus, a critical region for memory function. Further analysis of his cerebrospinal fluid showed biomarkers consistent with Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia.

According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease by Jianping Jia and colleagues,the patient’s case represents “a very early onset [of] Alzheimer’s without clear genetic mutation,” emphasizing the need for further investigation into the disease’s origins.

Did You know? Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and this number is projected to nearly double every 20 years (Alzheimer’s Association).

Genetic Mystery Deepens the Puzzle

Adding to the complexity, the teenager displayed no genetic mutations typically associated with early-onset Alzheimer’s. While individuals under 30 with Alzheimer’s often have familial alzheimer’s disease (FAD) due to inherited gene mutations, this patient lacked such genetic markers, including the PSEN1 mutation known to cause abnormal protein accumulation in the brain.

The patient also had no family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia, nor any history of head trauma or other conditions that might explain the cognitive decline. Previously, the youngest known Alzheimer’s patient was 21 years old and possessed a PSEN1 gene mutation.

Pro Tip: Early diagnosis of cognitive decline can help individuals and families plan for the future and access available support services (National Institute on Aging).

Symptoms and Cognitive Decline

Reports indicate that the patient began experiencing concentration difficulties at 17, along with reading impairments and frequent forgetfulness, including forgetting events from the previous day and misplacing belongings. Within a year of referral to a memory clinic, his ability to recall information promptly, after three minutes, and after 30 minutes had significantly declined.

His overall memory score was 82% lower than the average for his age group, and his immediate memory score was 87% lower. Neurologists quoted by the South China Morning Post stated that “tracing the mystery [of] Alzheimer’s [that] appears at a young age may be one of the biggest scientific challenges in the future.”

While long-term monitoring is essential to confirm the Alzheimer’s diagnosis definitively,this case marks a crucial point in understanding the age limits and potential causes of this devastating disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease: Key Facts

What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease that everyone should know? How can families best support loved ones facing this diagnosis?