Dementia Clues May Appear Beyond Memory and the Brain

WHO:

Science Daily - Scientists used miniature laboratory systems made from human cells to study genetic mutations associated with inherited Alzheimer’s disease.

HuffPost UK - Alzheimer’s Society said “more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis.”

HuffPost UK - A University College London study examined how long it takes to diagnose dementia after symptoms begin.

HuffPost UK - Neurologist Dr Richard Restak described apraxia in his book *How To Prevent Dementia*.

HuffPost UK - Alzheimer Scotland and the NHS identified walking changes and mood changes among possible dementia symptoms.

HuffPost UK - Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Adolfo M García discussed language changes in *Nature* and previously spoke to HuffPost UK.

WHAT:

Science Daily - The laboratory systems showed that inherited-Alzheimer’s mutations can disrupt nerve-to-muscle connections without the brain or spinal cord being involved.

Science Daily - Changes in balance, walking, and coordination may occur before memory problems in some patients.

HuffPost UK - Dementia is believed to affect almost 1 million people in the UK; 1 in 10 UK adults cannot name a single dementia symptom.

HuffPost UK - The UCL study found diagnosis typically takes 3.5 years after symptoms begin, rising to 4.1 years for early-onset dementia, defined as occurring before age 65.

HuffPost UK - Nine possible early signs beyond memory loss are vision changes; walking changes; difficulty performing practiced everyday tasks; voice changes; loss of smell; mood changes; difficulty shopping; language changes; and confusion.

HuffPost UK - Vision changes have been associated with higher dementia risk 12 years before diagnosis. Researchers do not know the exact relationship, and the article says about 60% of people are unaware of the reported link.

HuffPost UK - A paper in the *Journal of Voice* found people with a voice disorder but no hearing loss appeared 58% more likely to develop dementia than people without a voice disorder; the greatest risk was reported for people with both a voice disorder and hearing loss.

HuffPost UK - A University of Chicago study linked rapid smell decline during normal cognition with Alzheimer’s-related features, including smaller grey matter volume in smell- and memory-related brain areas, worse cognition, and higher dementia risk. A 2017 paper reported that people unable to identify at least 4 of 5 smells were about twice as likely to develop dementia as those who could.

HuffPost UK - The NHS lists irritability, anger, reduced motivation, apathy, and behavior outside previous social norms as possible mood changes. Shopping difficulties can include confusion over correct change.

HuffPost UK - Dr Restak described apraxia as inability to perform purposeful, practiced actions despite normal muscle strength and tone. A person may recognize and name a toothbrush and toothpaste but be unable to coordinate brushing their teeth.

HuffPost UK - Dr García said Alzheimer’s-related language changes may begin several years before core dementia symptoms. Signs can include losing words and meanings, using vague or incorrect words, confusing meanings, less coherent speech, and difficulty following conversations. He said vocabulary knowledge is markedly reduced in Alzheimer’s, unlike healthy ageing.

HuffPost UK - Dementia-related confusion can involve time and place, generally develops more slowly and lasts longer than delirium, and can occur alongside delirium. The article cautions that none of the listed signs alone definitely means a person has dementia.

WHERE:

Science Daily - The nerve-to-muscle effects were observed in laboratory systems, without involvement from the brain or spinal cord.

HuffPost UK - The population and diagnosis statistics concern the UK.

WHY:

Science Daily - The findings may help explain why some people experience balance, walking, and coordination changes before memory problems.

HuffPost UK - Researchers suggested amyloid plaques may cluster near the brain area responsible for vision first; the article says the relationship between vision changes and dementia is not established.

HOW:

Science Daily - Scientists studied human-cell miniature laboratory systems to assess effects of inherited-Alzheimer’s mutations on nerve-to-muscle connections.

HuffPost UK - Dr Restak explained that apraxia involves difficulty coordinating the actions and thoughts needed to complete a practiced task, rather than simply forgetting the task’s order or lacking strength.

(UPDATED November 10, 2026 02:59 UTC)

Laboratory models show inherited Alzheimer’s mutations can disrupt nerve-to-muscle connections, potentially affecting balance and coordination. UK dementia diagnosis typically takes three and a half years after symptoms begin. Early signs can include walking, mood, or language changes.