Timely recognition of dementia remains challenging, particularly when symptoms emerge before the age of 65. Compared with dementia onset later in life, younger individuals often present with more diverse and atypical symptoms, which can complicate recognition in primary care and contribute to diagnostic delay. Improving understanding of these early symptom patterns may support earlier identification and referral.
A newly published study led by doctoral researcher Caitlin Hibbs from Maastricht University investigated differences in pre-diagnostic signs and symptoms between people diagnosed with young-onset dementia (YOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD) in general practice. Using data from the Research Network Family Medicine database, the researchers analysed GP records from 88 individuals with YOD and 174 individuals with LOD, examining signs and symptoms documented up to five years before diagnosis.
The study found that, amongst others, affective symptoms, including depressive mood and anxiety, were significantly more common among people with YOD in the years preceding diagnosis. Social indicators, such as worries raised by relatives, relationship problems or work problems, were also more frequently documented in individuals with YOD than LOD up to five years before diagnosis. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed for cognitive symptoms between the two groups. According to the authors, this suggests that distinguishing features of dementia at a younger age may not necessarily be cognitive in nature, but may instead involve broader behavioural, emotional, and social changes.
The researchers note that dementia in younger individuals is often initially attributed to psychiatric conditions, stress, or burnout, partly because dementia is still predominantly associated with older age. Earlier recognition of these non-cognitive symptom patterns in primary care could help reduce diagnostic delays in YOD, and improve access to appropriate support and specialist care.
The study was published open access in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, and can be read here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13872877261451197
