A Cleveland Clinic Neuropsychologist Is Begging Older Generations to Pay Attention to This Unexpected Symptom of Brain Disease

Beth Ann Mayer
·5 min read

The idea that the future is for our children (and grandchildren) is a lovely, well-meaning idea—after all, many of us want our younger loved ones to inherit a better world. However, the future is for anyone at any age.

"As we get older, all of us should be thinking about how we want our future to look," says Dr. Jessica Caldwell, Ph.D., the director of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement Prevention Center at Cleveland Clinic. "We shouldn't just think about that in our teenage years or 20s.”

One of the most important things to think about? Brain health (go figure). "As we age, one of the things we need to watch out for is how our thinking is doing [and] how our memory is doing because [these] changes could impact your future," Dr. Caldwell explains.

Indeed, age is the most significant risk factor for dementia, according to the CDC. Women are also at a higher risk for developing the disease—something researchers like Dr. Caldwell are digging into more, and a topic that's widely covered in Parade and Cleveland Clinic's 2024 brain health survey. However, Dr. Caldwell says flagging signs and symptoms of brain disease can help people start treatments that can improve their quality of life. Some—like forgetfulness—are more commonly linked to Alzheimer's disease. Others fly under the radar, and Dr. Caldwell is begging older generations to flag this surprising brain disease symptom with their doctors.

Related: Doing This One Thing Every Day Could Lower Your Risk of Dementia, According to a Cleveland Clinic Neuropsychologist

The Dementia Sign Many People Miss, According to a Cleveland Clinic Neuropsychologist

Cognitive and mental health can go hand in hand. "[Something] people might be surprised could be [a] warning sign that you might need to have your memory tested [is] depression," Dr. Caldwell says. "Depression is a risk factor for dementia."

Recent research supports Dr. Caldwell's statement. For instance, a 2023 meta-analysis in the The Journal of Neuropsychiatry indicated that nearly 9% of all new dementia cases and almost 11% of Alzheimer's disease diagnoses could be linked to depression. The authors called this link a "complex, concerning issue that remains unclear."

Previous research published in 2020 also suggested that depression could increase dementia risk.

However, Dr. Caldwell says this depression is distinct from what people may experience earlier in their lives. "It's the kind [of depression] that pops up for the first time when someone is older," Dr. Caldwell. "A depressed mood might be a signal that the brain is changing or a risk factor that the brain will change down the line."

Though there's a distinction, Dr. Caldwell clarifies that mental health providers will use the same depression diagnostic criteria found in the DSM-5. These symptoms, like sleep disturbances and loss of interest in nearly all activities, must be present nearly all day, every day for at least two weeks.

Related: This Common Sleep Issue Could Be a Warning Sign of Heart Disease, According to Cardiologists

Other Risks and Signs of Dementia

Dr. Caldwell says people are also often surprised to learn that hearing loss could be a risk factor for dementia.

"Unfortunately, today, there's still a pretty big stigma against using hearing aids," Dr. Caldwell says. "People in their 50s or 60s might be resistant to putting in a hearing aid. But if you don't, you might be increasing your dementia risk."

A 2023 study by Johns Hopkins researchers indicated that older adults with more significant severe hearing loss were more likely to have dementia. However, as Dr. Caldwell said, researchers also noted that the odds of dementia were lower in hearing aid users.

Other dementia symptoms and risk factors are more known but bear repeating:

  • Memory lapses

  • Missing time

  • Weakness on one side of the body

  • Loss of sensation

  • Sudden confusion

  • Vision changes

Concerned About Your Brain Disease Risk? Take These Next Steps

1. Talk to your primary care doctor

Dr. Caldwell says people typically discuss brain disease risks and concerns with their primary care provider before seeing a specialist. "Oftentimes, primary care doctors may give a short, five to seven-minute test," Dr. Caldwell explains.

The results will indicate whether you need a further assessment.

2. See a specialist

If your PCP is concerned, they may send you to a specialist.

"Sometimes, that's a neurologist," Dr. Caldwell says. "Sometimes, it's a neuropsychologist like me."

What's the difference? "A neurologist would be a [medical doctor] who treats brain diseases," Dr. Caldwell explains. "They might order MRIs [and] blood tests. A neuropsychologist is someone trained in brain-behavior relationships who uses paper and pencil tests to compare how your thinking is doing to other people your age and [with the same level of] education."

The goal is to get an idea of whether you're in a normal range compared to people in your age and education group.

3. Treatment

"When individuals get a dementia diagnosis, there are many things that you can do to continue to live a healthy, happy life," Dr. Caldwell says.

These steps include:

  • Medication to treat memory symptoms

  • Medicines that can take amyloid out of the brain

  • Avoiding triggers that affect our moods, like loud noises or bright lights

The last point can also help with depression. What about therapy and specific medications for depression?

"At some point with dementia, therapy won't be as helpful because it's harder to gain from it if you can't remember what happened the previous session," Dr. Caldwell says. "Certainly, medications for depression are available for people with dementia."

Up next, A neurologist go-to dinner for Alzheimer's prevention

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