EARLY-ONSET ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: RISK FACTORS, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This article sought to examine early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) in terms of its clinical course, predisposing factors, and management through a literature review, with an emphasis on distinguishing between EOAD and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LDAD), including articles published between 2015 and 2025, obtained from the “Alzheimer’s Association,” “ScienceDirect,” “Cochrane,” and “PubMed” databases, using the keywords “Alzheimer,” “early,” and “onset,” with the AND operator. The study showed that EAD has a more aggressive clinical course, with non-amnestic manifestations, due to greater tau protein accumulation and beta-amyloid deposition, leading to accelerated cognitive decline; predisposing factors include chronic stress and genetics, with mutations in the PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP genes. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, the use of biomarkers, and imaging tests, and its management includes symptom control and emerging therapies such as passive immunotherapy and gene therapy. The study indicates that genetic influence is the primary factor affecting the significant formation of beta-amyloid plaques, and its clinical course differs in that it begins with a presentation of non-amnestic neurofunctional loss; these characteristics are fundamental for guiding early diagnosis and management.