Dementia's first symptom might not be memory loss - what to look out for

The common brain condition cannot always be easy to spot and often memory loss is seen as a symptom, but it is not the only one

A brain condition mainly known for affecting memory loss, may not be the first symptom of dementia.

It describes several diseases which usually affect cognitive loss and Alzheimer's disease is perhaps the most common of these. It can interfere with daily life, but spotting dementia early can reduce its progression and and prolong a good quality of life. Researchers have suggested it may not be the first indicator, according to a systematic review published in 2017. SurreyLive reports that depression may be an early warning sign of the condition

They conducted research which included a broad sweep of the literature - spanning from from 1937 to 2016 - in a bid to document the signs and symptoms preceding the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that depression and cognitive impairment were the first symptoms to appear in 98.5 percent and 99.1 percent of individuals in a study with late-onset Alzheimer’s and nine percent and 80 percent, respectively, in early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Memory loss presented early and was experienced 12 years before the clinically defined diagnosis of late-stage Alzheimer’s. The researchers concluded that "the findings of this review suggest that neurological and depressive behaviours are an early occurrence". They added: "However, the study was limited by the fact that each one of the findings was based on a single study," they noted.

Identifying depression can be rather difficult on its own, never mind when it manifests as a symptom of Alzheimer's or any other form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association (AA), examples of symptoms common to both depression and dementia include:

• Apathy
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
• Social withdrawal
• Isolation
• Trouble concentrating
• Impaired thinking

"In addition, the cognitive impairment experienced by people with Alzheimer's often makes it difficult for them to articulate their sadness, hopelessness, guilt and other feelings associated with depression," notes the health body. They have also highlighted that depression for those suffering from Alzheimer's may not look quite like typical depression, as it may not be as severe and may come and go rather than being a lasting feeling.

They further noted that a person with Alzheimer's may be less likely to talk about or attempt suicide, than those suffering just from depression. The Mirror reported that a Mediterranean-style diet can stave off brain decline - and specifically one food featured heavily in this diet. This diet, which varies by region, generally includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals, grains, oily fish, and healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil.

The diet is also limited in processed foods and has been linked to a reduced risk of other serious health issues including heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers and depression. As part of the study, the team tracked over 7,750 individuals for up to a decade.

Participants filled out detailed food questionnaires and underwent cognitive assessments via telephone to help researchers determine which foods were most effective at curbing cognitive impairment and decline. It was found that people who ate a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of cognitive impairment. But in particular, fish intake was associated with “higher cognitive function”.