Alzheimer’s In 20s Far From Reality
Is it possible to develop the brain disorder in your twenties? Experts say such early onset of the debilitating disease, presented as common in the film Saiyaara, is extremely rare
Saiyaara recounts the painful journey of a 22-year-old woman diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The film raises real-world questions: Can Alzheimer’s actually impact people in their twenties?
“The premise of Saiyaara is far removed from reality. The story of a 22-year-old developing Alzheimer’s Disease is an exaggeration, and the symptoms shown are not typical of the disease. In reality, Alzheimer’s Disease develops over years, and the symptoms are subtle and cumulative,” says Dr M. Lakshmi Lavanya, Consultant Neurologist, Kamineni Hospitals.
“As a neurologist, I’d like to shed some light on the possibility of getting Alzheimer’s Disease in one’s 20s. While it’s not entirely impossible, it’s extremely rare. The condition known as early-onset Alzheimer's Disease is defined as dementia occurring before the age of 65,” she explains.
Dr Subhash Kaul, Sr. Consultant Neurologist, KIMS Hospitals, adds, “Alzheimer’s at 20 years of age is extremely uncommon. It can happen very, very rarely if there’s a fault in the genes, what we call genetic mutation. This can occur in some families that have a history of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
But there are other causes of memory loss in youngsters, which should be considered. “For example, autoimmune encephalitis causes swelling of the brain and can be treated very effectively. Sometimes memory loss is because of the accumulation of copper in the brain, which is called Wilson’s Disease. Sometimes it’s because of the deficiency of Vitamin B12 or a thyroid disease,” Dr. Kaul elaborates.
What Causes Alzheimer’s at a Young Age?
Genetic mutations (Familial Alzheimer’s Disease - FAD) are the culprits in such cases. “These mutations follow an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning a child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation. Most cases of FAD begin in the 30s or 40s. However, extremely rare cases have been documented in the 20s,” says Dr Yeshwanth Paidimarri, Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, adding, “It is misleading to present Alzheimer’s as being common in the 20s. Science shows it's virtually unheard of without rare genetic factors.”
What Should You Do If You’re Experiencing Memory Issues?
“Medical professionals advise young adults not to panic. Memory and concentration problems in the 20s are more often due to reversible or manageable conditions,” says Dr. Paidimarri. “Doctors typically assess psychological stress, anxiety, or depression. Quality and duration of sleep; nutritional deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin B12); thyroid or hormonal imbalances; history of head injuries or drug use; and family history of neurological disorders. Only after these are ruled out, neuroimaging or genetic testing may be considered for very rare early-onset neurodegenerative diseases.”
Should young people worry about IT?
Only those with a robust genetic background or distinct symptoms should be concerned. “While Alzheimer’s in the 20s is not impossible, it is extremely rare and should not be viewed as a common condition among youth. Instead, attention should be on addressing actually prevalent and often overlooked mental health issues among the youth,” adds Dr. Paidimarri.
