Alzheimer’s disease presents varying patterns depending on the age of onset. According to medical experts, when the condition affects an individual before the age of 65, it is classified as an early-onset form of the disease. Jūratė Macijauskienė, a professor of geriatrics at LSMU Kaunas Hospital, highlighted the role of age in risk assessment.
She noted that age itself is a significant risk factor, stating that the risk increases incrementally every five years. She provided statistics on prevalence, noting that dementia syndrome is quite rare in individuals under 65, rarely exceeding 1% incidence. In contrast, the syndrome is characteristic of a much larger percentage—5 to 10%—of the population over 65 years of age.
Despite the established risk factors associated with advancing years, the process of predicting future risk remains challenging. Vaineta Valeikienė, a neurologist at Affidea clinic, emphasized that there is currently no definitive study capable of determining an individual’s future risk for the disease. Diagnosis, she explained, is purely clinical.
Diagnosis is made when a person presents with observable symptoms, such as memory impairment, difficulties with attention, or noticeable changes in their ability to manage daily activities. These experts clarify that diagnosis relies on a comprehensive assessment of symptoms rather than predictive testing. The focus of medical intervention remains on identifying and managing the clinical manifestations of the disease as they appear.
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