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Signs & Symptoms of Mild Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that progresses over time. The hallmark of the disease is the formation of abnormal proteins called plaques and tangles. As these proteins increase in number, memory loss occurs. Also evident are changes in mood and behavior. Thinking, planning and language skills are affected. In the mild stage of Alzheimer's disease symptoms are bad enough to interfere with normal daily life. Each person who has Alzheimer's disease displays different symptoms, but most people with mild Alzheimer's disease have some symptoms in common.

  1. Short-Term Memory Loss

    • People with mild Alzheimer's disease have significant short-term memory problems because the hippocampus portion of the brain is affected first. Think of the hippocampus as a filing cabinet. New information comes into the hippocampus but because it does not file the information properly, the information is lost and cannot be retrieved. Because of this, those with mild Alzheimer's repeat questions and have trouble completing daily activities.

    Executive Function Deficits

    • Mild Alzheimer's disease results in a decrease in executive function. Executive function helps us connect past experience with present action. Because of this deficit, people with mild Alzheimer's disease have difficulty organizing, paying attention and remembering details. They have trouble paying their bills and handling money in general, planning events and have poor judgement.

    Language Problems

    • Many individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease have trouble with language. They have trouble correctly naming common objects or substitute a description of the object or make up a word to use in place of the appropriate word. Another problem they may have is not understanding what you are telling them. In mild Alzheimer's these symptoms are noticeable but not debilitating.

    Mood and Personality Changes

    • People with mild Alzheimer's disease often become depressed because they know something is wrong. They also have difficulty doing ordinary tasks. It is frustrating and depressing to them. It often causes mood swings.

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