
The Earliest Warning Sign of Dementia (Scary!)
The earlier you’re diagnosed with dementia, the better your outcome.
Early intervention is your best bet at slowing the progression of the disease, which could help extend the quality of your life.
Last week I told you about a newly discovered early warning sign of dementia (you can read about that here).
Today, I’m going to share another early warning sign to watch out for.
It turns out to be one of the most common symptoms of the disease—and one that’s associated with poorer outcomes—is also one of the earliest.
Here’s everything you need to know.
For this study, researchers were looking at a specific form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia. It is a rare form of dementia that tends to affect younger people (45-64 years old).
As the name suggests, frontotemporal dementia impacts your brain’s frontal lobe, which causes problems with behavior, personality, and language (as opposed to memory).
It also has a genetic component, with up to 30 percent of people who develop it having a family history of the disease.
(This is different from other more common forms of dementia, which tend to be lifestyle related.)
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia include changes like loss of inhibitions, compulsive behaviors, decreased energy, and apathy.
The apathy component seems to hit people the hardest.
It’s linked to functional decline, loss of independence, and ultimately poorer survival.
And it turns out that apathy could also be one of the earliest warning signs of the disease.
Most people deal with it years before they receive an official diagnosis.
The study included 600 healthy people, half of whom had a genetic variant that increased their risk of the disease.
The people with risk genes for dementia experienced an increase in apathy over the two years of the study.
The degree of apathy from the start of the study predicted cognitive decline over the next two years.
Also, an increase in apathy was connected to lower volume in two parts of the brain: the frontal lobe and cingulate, according to MRI scans.
What all of this means is that over time, subtle changes in apathy can predict a change in cognition, which means it can be a very early warning sign of dementia.
Of course, there can be other underlying causes of apathy that have nothing to do with dementia, like low thyroid hormone levels or depression.
But doctors need to be careful to rule out all underlying possibilities in patients experiencing an increase in apathy.
Getting the proper tests and a proper diagnosis is always the first step in ensuring the best possible outcome.

Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
4 FREE Ways to Boost Your Heart Health!
When it comes to optimal health, I like to blend the conventional with the unconventional. Key lifestyle factors that “everyone knows” are good for your heart include things like: eating a healthy diet, getting consistent movement, minimizing stress, and getting a good night’s sleep. I do these things on a regular basis, and I encourage...
Put an END to Migraine Pain Today
Migraine pain can be a difficult nut to crack. For some, a migraine can come on for seemingly no reason. Worse yet, it can leave you in the dark, lying in misery for days on end. See, the problem with migraines is that they can be caused by anything from hormonal changes to weather changes...
Can You Be Fat AND Fit?
Some past research has indicated that being physically active can help cancel out the negative effects of being overweight on heart health. But… is that true? Well, a new study put that idea to the test. And you’ll be surprised by what it found. I have some unfortunate news. Frankly, the idea that exercising can...
Unexpected Drug May Lower COVID Death Risk? [Diabetic Must-Read!]
Some diseases don’t discriminate. That’s not the case with COVID-19. Certain people are much more likely to become infected with COVID-19—and are also much more likely to die. For example, there is a higher mortality rate in people over 80 years old, people with cardiovascular disease, and in African Americans. But type 2 diabetics are...
Dangerous Food SKYROCKETS Heart Failure Risk 37%!
Sometimes being healthy is about what you DO… like exercising, managing stress, and eating more of certain types of foods. But being healthy is also about what you DON’T do. Like not smoking, not drinking too much, and not being around toxic cancer-causing chemicals. Today, I’m going to tell you about something you’ll want to...
Arthritis in Your Hands? 5 Drug-FREE Solutions
If you have arthritis in your hands, you know how difficult it can make daily life. You use your fingers for so many tasks—from brushing your teeth, to tying your shoes, to opening that jar of pasta sauce. So, when they’re stiff, painful, and weak, everyday tasks can be a real struggle. But I’ll tell...
Surprising Super “Star” Boosts Gut Health!
Gut health is finally stepping into the spotlight. And it’s about time. I read studies daily from major scientific journals showing that a healthy microbiome reduces your risk of major disease like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and even obesity. Knowing that, finding ways to boost your gut health should be pretty...
“Mysterious” Tea Improves Your Heart?
I’m a coffee man, myself. I drink it because I like it. And it also happens to come with some impressive health benefits as well. But if coffee just isn’t your “cup of tea,” don’t worry. There’s a super healthy tea that can help combat everything from blood sugar problems… to high blood pressure… to...
Delay Parkinson’s by 17 Years?! (It’s Now Possible!)
You may recall, that I’ve previously told you about two key nutrients that can dramatically reduce your risk of Parkinson’s disease. Today, I have more encouraging news that can help you take control of your Parkinson’s risk… And it’s BIG NEWS. This time, researchers have identified a way to delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease...
3 Secrets to a LOWER Blood Sugar
Diabetes sure is a drag. If you follow the perfect diet, you might be able to keep your blood sugar in check. But who wants to do that? Fortunately, there are three natural supplements that have been proven to help regulate blood sugar… And you won’t have to make a single change to your diet....