What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions, particularly memory, and is accompanied by various neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is a neurodegenerative condition that cannot be diagnosed through laboratory tests but rather through clinical criteria and neuropsychological assessments.

Key insights from the research papers include:

Insidious onset and progressive impairment of memory and other cognitive functions are clinical criteria for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, with no motor, sensory, or coordination deficits early in the disease.
Depression and cognitive impairment, particularly in semantic memory and conceptual formation, are early symptoms in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), while neurological and depressive behaviors appear early in early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD).
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as agitation, apathy, depression, and delusions are very common in Alzheimer's disease, with potential underlying brain circuits including the frontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala.
Apathy is one of the most common and persistent symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, with other symptoms like hallucinations and delusions being less persistent but still prevalent.
Non-cognitive symptoms such as gait and balance dysfunction, olfactory dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms like depression and psychosis often accompany Alzheimer's disease.
Depression in Alzheimer's disease patients is associated with greater cognitive impairment and disability.
Psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, are prevalent in Alzheimer's disease and are associated with emotional incontinence, insomnia, and agitation.
Memory loss is the most characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease, with patients also experiencing mood swings, anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior, and apathy as the disease progresses.

In conclusion, Alzheimer's disease manifests through a combination of memory impairment and a spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Early signs include depression and cognitive difficulties, with apathy being a notably persistent symptom. As the disease advances, patients may experience a range of non-cognitive symptoms and psychotic features such as hallucinations and delusions. These symptoms not only affect the patients but also cause significant distress to caregivers. Understanding the full scope of Alzheimer's symptoms is crucial for diagnosis, care, and the development of potential treatments.

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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Summary

Sources and full results

Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, including insidious onset and progressive impairment of memory and cognitive functions, with no motor, sensory, or coordination deficits early in the disease.

Signs and symptoms preceding the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic scoping review of literature from 1937 to 2016

Depression and cognitive impairment are early symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, but misdiagnosis of rapidly progressive Alzheimer's as CJD and familial memory score can confound diagnosis.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: What might be associated brain circuits?

Agitation in Alzheimer's disease may be linked to deficits in frontal cortex and apathy may be linked to avoidance behaviors.

A cross-sectional study of neuropsychiatric symptoms in 435 patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in Alzheimer's disease and cause significant distress for caregivers, with apathy being the most common and persistent symptom.

Non-cognitive symptoms and related conditions in the Alzheimer’s disease: a literature review

Non-cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease include gait and balance dysfunction, olfactory dysfunction, diabetes, pain, and psychiatric symptoms, which may appear before cognitive symptoms become evident.

Depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Depression is prevalent in 17% of Alzheimer's disease patients and is associated with cognitive impairment and increased disability.

Psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease

Psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions, are prevalent in 31% of Alzheimer's disease patients, with more frequent occurrence in advanced disease.

The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease pathology involves amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and its diagnosis and treatment are influenced by related pathologies like cerebrovascular disease and Lewy body disease.

Brain Inflammation Connects Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease.

Brain inflammation, primarily caused by microglia, links memory loss and non-cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, potentially offering new therapeutic targets.

Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory impairment, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior, often leading to apathy and inability to communicate.

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