Dementia is set to affect a staggering 152 million people by 2050, a study into the condition has reported.
However, an early warning symptom has been detected which could help medics control the progress of the illness that causes sufferers to experience a decline in brain function, reports the Express.
There are many different variations on dementia, with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia the most common. The condition can be diagnosed as early as the age of 45, but there is currently no cure.
Symptoms of dementia usually progress over time, with some patients unable to communicate or take care of themselves. However, an early diagnosis can help slow down the progress of the disease with well-known including symptoms memory loss and confusion.
A lesser-known sign which can appear early is apathy, according to the University of Exeter. Apathy describes lacking the motivation to do anything or not caring about what’s going on around you.
In dementia patients, feelings of apathy can present as losing interest in former hobbies or not wanting to go out.
The study researched data from more than 4,320 Alzheimer's disease patients to examine the link between dementia and apathy as a potential early sign of the condition.
Results found that 45 percent of the participants had been apathetic at the beginning of the study, and in 20 per cent of these cases, it persisted for a longer period.
The research also noticed that many participants showed signs of apathy without being diagnosed as depressed - suggesting it could be induced by a different cause.
Scientists concluded that their findings could help guide treatments for cognitive decline in the future.
Other signs of dementia include problems with:
- Memory loss
- Speed of thinking
- Mental sharpness and quickness
- Language or trouble speaking
- Understanding
- Judgement
- Mood
- Movement
- Difficulties doing daily activities.
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