Warning! Ten Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Written by Nguyenjessica

Published on Dec 15 2025

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that severely threatens the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of older adults, significantly diminishing their quality of life. Recognizing its early warning signs is crucial for timely diagnosis, intervention, and management. Below are ten early indicators of Alzheimer's. If you notice these symptoms in a loved one, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation promptly.

1. Memory Loss That Affects Daily Life

One of the most common early signs is difficulty with recent memory. Individuals may forget recently learned information, important dates, or events. They might repeat the same questions, rely heavily on memory aids, or forget whether they've completed routine tasks like feeding a pet or locking the door.

2. Challenges in Managing Medications

Early-stage Alzheimer's can lead to confusion with medication routines. Individuals may forget they have already taken their pills and take a second dose, increasing the risk of overdose and adverse side effects, which can cause further harm.

3. Disorientation to Time and Place

Time: Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time.
Space: Getting lost in familiar surroundings, forgetting how they arrived somewhere, or misplacing items in unusual places (e.g., putting car keys in the refrigerator).

4. Difficulty with Visual and Spatial Relationships

People may experience problems with vision and spatial judgment. This can include difficulties reading, judging distance, or determining color/contrast, leading to mistakes like handing someone an unripe, green tomato when asked for a ripe red one.

5. Impaired Judgment or Decision-Making

Judgment often declines. Individuals may make poor or uncharacteristic decisions in financial or personal safety matters. They might fall for obvious scams, such as believing messages claiming their "Alipay account is unsafe" or that they must "pay a fee to claim a prize."

6. Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing

They may struggle with vocabulary, having trouble following or joining a conversation. They might stop in the middle of a sentence, repeat themselves, or struggle to find the right word, calling things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

7. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities

A person may start to withdraw from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports they once enjoyed. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or remembering how to complete a familiar task at work, leading to disengagement.

8. Changes in Mood and Personality

Mood and personality can change dramatically. Someone who was once gentle may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone. Conversely, a previously outgoing person may become withdrawn and apathetic.

9. Loss of Initiative

A marked decrease in enthusiasm for activities they once loved—such as fishing, dancing, or playing mahjong—is common. They may require cues and prompting to become involved.

10. Increased Anxiety or Agitation in Unfamiliar Situations

When in an unfamiliar environment or around strangers, individuals may exhibit noticeable anxiety, agitation, confusion, or discomfort.

These early manifestations of Alzheimer's are associated with the pathological accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. [1]As the disease advances, these changes worsen, leading to severe brain dysfunction. Treatment in the later stages is extremely challenging. Therefore, if you observe any of these signs in a family member, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment to facilitate early diagnosis and appropriate care.

[1] Charlotte Johansson, Elena Rodriguez-Vieitez, et al. Phenotypic variability in early-onset dementia segregating with a novel APP (p.I718M) variant. NLM. Volume 17, article number 254, (2025)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12670831