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Early onset of Alzheimer's disease is considered only in patients under 65 years of age. There are patients who have been treated for the disease in their 30's and 40's, but these instances are very rare. Most early onset Alzheimer's patients are diagnosed by symptoms in their 50's. And only 5 to 10 percent of all Alzheimer's patients are early onset. Today, there are approximately 5 million Alzheimer's patients in this country. So, early onset Alzheimer's numbers between 250,000 and 500,000.

Alzheimer's disease is not always genetic, but research shows most early onset Alzheimer's patients do come from families in which either one of the parents or one of the grandparents had the illness. In fact, a great number of early onset Alzheimer's is linked to 3 genes. Only a blood test can determine if a person is genetically predisposed to developing it. But, a person should consider first if they even have the warning signs of Alzheimer's, before being tested. The main reason is the anxiety which might occur if the results are positive for the gene. Although a person has the gene, it does not always mean they will ever need treatment for Alzheimer's.

The following are the ten warning signs of Alzheimer's: memory loss; difficulty performing familiar task; problems with language; disorientation to time and place; poor or decreased judgment; problems with abstract thinking; misplacing things; changes in mood or behavior; changes in personality; and loss of initiative.

The diagnostic test to determine if a person suffers from the disease include: the Clock Drawing test; the Mini-Mental State Examination; and Functional Assessment Staging. These should be given only by a neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. They make their determination based on problems in at least two areas of mental function and rule out any other disorders which might account for the dementia.

Today's treatments are mainly medicines which delay the progression of the illness. Scientist are working toward future prevention of the disease. In fact, a vaccine was tested on a control group after it passed testing on mice. But, with humans taking the vaccine, it was found that a number of the patients developed inflammation of the brain, so all studies were halted, until a better vaccine or solution could be tested.

If it is determined that you are someone you love is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, the key treatments are education and support. It is very important that all immediate family members learn and try to understand the patient and about their own roles as caretakers. There are many support groups available throughout the country and on the internet. These can help you to the resources your family needs.

Sources:
www.mayoclinic.c om/health/alzheimers
www.namend a.com
www.alzheimers.org

Learn more about this author, Phyllis Rogers.
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