Can you tell if you’re getting Alzheimer’s?
One of the most common and unsettling questions people ask is: “Can you tell if you’re getting Alzheimer’s?” The answer is sometimes—but not always, and often many years before symptoms appear. Modern research has shown that the disease process behind Alzheimer’s often begins long before noticeable memory problems develop . The Long Silent Phase Alzheimer’s typically develops in stages. The earliest stage is sometimes called the preclinical phase . During this period: Changes are occurring in the brain Amyloid plaques and tau tangles begin accumulating Brain cells are slowly being affected But the person may feel completely normal . Research suggests this silent phase can begin 10–20 years before symptoms appear . Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) The next stage for some people is mild cognitive impairment . At this point, a person may begin noticing: Forgetting recent conversations Misplacing items more often Difficulty recalling names or words Trouble follow...