early-onset alzheimer's disease

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease, also called early-onset Alzheimer's or early-onset AD, is the term used for cases of Alzheimer's disease diagnosed before the age of 65. It is an uncommon form of Alzheimer's, accounting for only 5-10% of all Alzheimer's cases. Approximately 13% of the cases of early-onset Alzheimer's are Familial Alzheimer's disease, where a genetic predisposition leads to the disease. The other incidences of early-onset Alzheimer's, however, share the same traits as the 'late onset' form commonly referred to as "Alzheimer's disease", and little is understood about how it starts.

Non-Familial early onset Alzheimer's can develop in people who are in their thirties or forties, but that is extremely rare. The majority of people with early-onset Alzheimer's are in their fifties or early sixties.

Familial Alzheimer's disease
Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) or Early-onset Familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD) is an uncommon form of Alzheimer's disease that usually strikes earlier in life, defined as before the age of 65 (usually between 50 and 65 years of age, but can be early as 15) and is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, identified by genetics and other characteristics such as the age of onset. It accounts for approximately half the cases of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Familial AD requires the patient to have at least one first degree relative with a history of AD.

Clinical features
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and usually occurs in old age. It is invariably fatal, generally within ten years of the first signs. Early signs of AD include memory loss, particularly in remembering recent events and the names of people and things. As the disease progresses the patient exhibits more serious problems, becoming subject to mood swings and unable to perform complex activities such as driving. In the latter stages they forget how to do simple things such as brushing their hair and then require full-time care.

Genetics
Familial Alzheimer's disease is caused by a mutation in one of at least 3 genes: presenlin 1, presenlin 2, and amyloid precursor protein (APP). Other gene mutations are in study.

Impact of Early-onset Alzheimer's
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease can have devastating effects on the careers, caretakers, and family members of patients.

As many patients are in the age range common to those raising children, patient's children who are not full grown suffer physically and emotionally as their parents are no longer able to care for them.

Those who are working lose their ability to perform their jobs competently, and are forced into early retirement. When this can be predicted, employees must discuss their future with their employers and the loss of skills they expect to face.

Those who are forced to retire early may not have access to the full rage of benefits available to those who retire at the minimum age set by the government.

With some jobs, a mistake may have devastating consequences on a large number of people, and cases have been reported in which a person with early-onset Alzheimer's who is unaware of their condition has caused distress.

People with Alzheimer's may also lose their ability to take care of their own needs, such as money management.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early-onset_Alzheimer's_disease