Not identifying individuals’ feelings accurately could be one of the first, yet frequently overlooked, indicators of dementia, according to specialists.

A condition that causes memory loss is typically linked to elderly individuals, as they make up the bulk of diagnosed cases.

Currently, researchers have cautioned that misreading others’ feelings could serve as an initial symptom of mental deterioration, a significant marker for dementia.

In the research, scientists from the
University of Cambridge
and
Tel Aviv
Over 600 senior citizens were assigned an emotional identification exercise by the university.

Individuals showing signs of cognitive deterioration tended to perceive neutral or adverse feelings—like anger, fear, or sorrow—as favorable emotions.

Similarly, the scientists also noted alterations in brain regions linked to emotion regulation and modifications in how these regions interact with another part of the brain responsible for social decision-making.

Writing in the journal
JNeurosci
they claimed it indicated that “greater positive outlook as people grow older could be linked to brain degeneration.”

However, researchers also discovered no connection between positive thinking tendency and depression in older adults — another significant sign of dementia.

Dementia may lead to depression by impacting the areas of the brain responsible for emotions, and at times, depression might appear as an early indicator of impending dementia.

“The absence of link to depressive symptoms indicates that positive bias may aid in differentiating cognitive deterioration from depression in older adults,” the researchers stated.

Nevertheless, additional research is needed to establish the connection, they mentioned.

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“We are investigating how these results connect with elderly individuals experiencing initial stages of cognitive impairment, especially those exhibiting symptoms of apathy, which frequently serves as an additional early indicator of dementia,” stated Dr. Noham Wolpe, a clinical neuroscience researcher from Tel Aviv University and co-author of the study.

It comes as a
pioneering research from last year indicated
Approximately half of all Alzheimer’s disease instances might be avoidable by addressing 14 lifestyle-related elements starting from early life.

Top-tier specialists discovered that two newly identified risk factors — elevated cholesterol levels and experiencing sight deterioration — together contribute to nearly 10% of global dementia cases.

They add to 12 previously recognized elements, including genetic predisposition and tobacco use, which specialists have determined contribute to an individual’s likelihood of developing dementia.

Renowned experts stated that the research, featured in the esteemed publication The Lancet, offered greater optimism than ever before regarding the possibility of addressing this debilitating condition affecting countless individuals.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading type of dementia and
affects
982,000 individuals in the United Kingdom.

Common initial signs of the disorder include memory issues, challenges with thought processes and logic, as well as trouble with communication, all of which tend to become more severe as the condition progresses.

An analysis by Alzheimer’s Research UK revealed 74,261 individuals
passed away due to dementia in 2022, as opposed to 69,178 cases the previous year,
turning it into the nation’s leading cause of death.

It comes as a
Read more

• What indicators of dementia are being ignored among young people in Britain?
• Which unexpected character features could potentially increase your likelihood of developing dementia, as suggested by leading researchers?
• Is optimism the hidden factor in reducing your chances of developing dementia, as suggested by recent pioneering studies?
• Is unrecognized cardiovascular illness the hidden factor contributing to an impending Alzheimer’s epidemic among countless British people?
• Could poor heart health be the greatest risk for your brain? Discover why specialists advise that starting preventive measures early is essential to avoiding Alzheimer’s disease.