Certain medical conditions may signal early-onset Alzheimer’s disease several years before diagnosis, a new Finnish study suggests.

Researchers found that depression, vertigo, headaches and other conditions were more common during the five years preceding diagnosis, potentially offering clues for earlier detection.

The researchers analyzed medical records from 407 people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 4,035 people of similar age and sex without the diagnosis, focusing on the 15 years prior to diagnosis.

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The average age at diagnosis was 60. Early-onset disease is diagnosed in people under 65.

The findings were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

The following conditions were found to be significantly more prevalent among those who were ultimately diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

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1. Vertigo (5.9% of those with diagnosis, vs. 2.1% of those who were not diagnosed)
2. Depression (5.7% vs. 2.3%)
3. Headache (4.9% vs. 1.6%)
4. Stroke (4.4% vs. 2.0%)
5. Alcohol-related disorders (3.4% vs. 1.4%)
6. Brain disorders (2.9% vs. 0.9%)
7. Thyroid disorders (2.5% vs. 0.8%)
8. Epilepsy (2.2% vs. 0.7%)
9. Delirium (1.5% vs. 0.1%)
10. Ear, nose, and throat disorders (5.2% vs. 2.9%)

Researchers found that depression, vertigo, headaches and other conditions were more common during the five years preceding diagnosis. (iStock)

Differences in medical conditions were most pronounced in the five years before an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the study showed.

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The researchers also found that healthcare visits increased substantially among early-onset Alzheimer’s patients immediately before and during the time of diagnosis, which may indicate emerging symptoms.

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“It is well-known that the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease begin at least 15 to 20 years before clinical cognitive symptoms appear,” Suvi-Johanna Krüger, M.D., Ph.D., study co-author and clinical lecturer at University of Oulu, said in a press release.

“Most previous studies have focused on late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and considerably less is known about early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.”

The researchers analyzed medical records from 407 people with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 4,035 people of similar age and sex without the diagnosis, focusing on the 15 years prior to diagnosis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Study limitations

Because the study was observational, it only establishes associations and cannot demonstrate that these conditions can reliably predict Alzheimer’s disease.

“Our study cannot determine whether these conditions cause early-onset Alzheimer’s disease or whether they are consequences of the underlying disease process,” Krüger noted.

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“Some conditions may represent risk factors, while others may reflect early symptoms or changes occurring during the prodromal phase of the disease.”

It is also possible that genetics, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors played a role in the patients’ outcomes.

“Early diagnosis is important because more treatment and support options are available in the early stages of the disease.”

Also, the researchers could not independently verify all medical diagnoses or assess the severity of the patients’ disease. Additionally, the findings may not apply to populations outside Finland.

Larger studies looking at disease biomarkers, genetics and clinical assessments could help determine whether there is a casual relationship between the medical conditions and Alzheimer’s incidence and whether these medical patterns could be used to improve early detection.

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For people experiencing any persistent medical symptoms, including issues with memory or cognition, experts say it’s important to see a healthcare provider.

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“Early diagnosis is important because more treatment and support options are available in the early stages of the disease,” Krüger advised.

“Early diagnosis also gives individuals and their families more time to plan for the future and access appropriate support services.”