Early Warning Signs of Dementia: Six Symptoms to Watch for

WHO:

The Washington Post - Timothy Chang, associate professor of neurology at UCLA

Yahoo - Adam Turnbull, instructor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

Yahoo - The first stage of Alzheimer's can start 15 to 20 years before any obvious changes to cognition.

Yahoo - A 2023 study of over 1.4 million Danish adults found that the risk of dementia was 2.4 times higher in those diagnosed with depression.

Yahoo - About 31 percent of older cognitively healthy adults had mood symptoms, compared to about 47 percent among those with increased dementia risk and about 54 percent in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Yahoo - A 2025 meta-analysis of 39 studies linked sleep disorders to increased dementia risk.

Yahoo - About 85 percent of people with early-stage Alzheimer's have problems smelling.

Yahoo - A 2024 study of over 1,300 healthy adults older than 65 found that walking ability diminished up to a decade before cognitive decline.

Yahoo - A study analyzing over 190,000 adults found every 11-pound decrease in hand grip strength was associated with a 20 percent increase in dementia in men and a 12 percent increase in women.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Denmark (for the study on depression and dementia risk)

Yahoo - Stanford University (for Adam Turnbull's research)

WHEN:

Yahoo - The U.S. POINTER clinical trial found that a mix of exercise, a healthy diet, social engagement, and brain games could improve cognitive capabilities in older adults at risk of cognitive decline or dementia last year.

WHY:

Yahoo - Depression and anxiety that develop later in life can be warning signs of early dementia.

Yahoo - Poor sleep can serve as an indicator of something going wrong in brain health.

HOW:

Yahoo - Research suggests that sleep may help flush out waste, including amyloid beta, from the brain.

Yahoo - Grip strength is one of the ways doctors assess physical frailty, which is a risk factor for dementia.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Recent studies highlight the significant link between Alzheimer's disease and various health factors, revealing that the condition accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, with early signs potentially starting 15 to 20 years before cognitive changes are noticeable. Research from Denmark indicates that individuals diagnosed with depression face a 2.4 times higher risk of dementia, while a 2025 meta-analysis suggests that sleep disorders also contribute to this increased risk. Furthermore, grip strength has been identified as a critical indicator of physical frailty, with declines in strength correlating to higher dementia risk, emphasizing the importance of maintaining both mental and physical health as we age.