Six early clues dementia may be brewing years before diagnosis
Dementia, most often Alzheimer’s, can begin 15–20 years before cognitive symptoms are obvious. The article outlines six early noncognitive signs that may precede dementia in some people: later-life depression or anxiety, increased apathy or irritability, sleep disturbances, loss of sense of smell, slower walking, and weaker grip strength. While these signs don’t guarantee dementia, recognizing them can prompt earlier medical evaluation and biomarker testing. Emerging diagnostics and lifestyle measures—such as exercise, healthy diet, social engagement, vaccines, and protecting hearing—may help speed up detection and reduce risk or progression.
