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Smartphones Can Delay Alzheimer's Diagnoses: Here's How To Catch Early Signs

Author:

Daniel Amen, M.D.

December 08, 2023

Clinical neuroscientist psychiatrist

By Daniel Amen, M.D.

Clinical neuroscientist psychiatrist

Daniel Amen, MD, is a clinical neuroscientist psychiatrist, physician, professor and 10-time New York Times bestselling author. He is a double board-certified child and adult psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics, Inc.

Image by Rob and Julia Campbell / Stocksy

December 08, 2023

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Before smartphones, we had to memorize phone numbers, addresses, and general knowledge. Prior to the advent of GPS, we had to use our own recall to find our way home. Now, in our tech-driven society, we can just use our devices whenever our memory fails us. As such, I've seen smartphones play a role in delaying the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Think about it: In the past, an older person might get lost while driving a familiar route. Or they might forget people's names or facts they once recalled easily. That would alert family members that a memory evaluation might be warranted. But our tech devices are masking these common early signs of cognitive decline—and potentially dangerously delaying diagnoses.

The number of older adults with undiagnosed dementia is higher than you might imagine

Over 91% of seniors with cognitive impairment typically seen in dementia had not received an official diagnosis, according to a 2021 national survey 1.

This survey, which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, involved more than 6 million Americans at least 65 years of age or older. It indicates that a majority of seniors with impaired cognitive function have not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

These statistics are alarming because we know that early interventions work better 2 to prevent and delay progression in conditions like Alzheimer's.

Early signs of Alzheimer's disease

In an increasingly tech-driven world, it's more important than ever to recognize the early warning signs of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia:

Having memory problems: Memory loss is the most typical symptom of early Alzheimer's disease. Blanking on loved one's names, repeating the same questions, and forgetting where you put things are common signs of a problem.
Having trouble identifying smells: Being unable to identify common scents like gasoline, lemon, or menthol can be a tip-off that neurodegenerative Alzheimer's processes have begun. A 2022 brain-imaging study 3 found that people who have trouble ID'ing specific odors have the same signs of brain degeneration as those seen in Alzheimer's sufferers.
Falling down: Have you noticed an older loved one—or yourself—falling down or tripping? Brain-imaging research 4 shows that people who fall frequently are at increased risk for early onset Alzheimer's, which is when the condition develops before the age of 65.
A lack of good judgment: When a person who usually makes good decisions starts showing poor judgment, it's time for concern. Excessive spending, impulsive actions, and other behaviors that are out of character can be a red flag. In a form of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia—the type actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with in 2023—breaking the law is often an early indicator. Based on a study 5 in JAMA Neurology, illegal activity was the first warning sign in 14% of those with FTD.
Having gum disease: Surprisingly, gum disease can be a red flag for dementia, according to a growing body of research 6. Gums that bleed while brushing or inflamed gums are signs to look for.
Difficulty making plans or problem-solving: When an older person finds it hard to make future plans or to solve everyday problems, it can be a warning sign of Alzheimer's.
Social isolation: Findings from a 2021 study in the European Journal of Neuroscience point to social withdrawal as an early sign of Alzheimer's. If an older family member who used to attend family events is no longer accepting invitations, dig deeper to find out why.
Having trouble keeping track of time: People with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia often lose track of time. This is one early warning sign that can be masked by smartphone notifications, alerts, and reminders.
Getting lost: One of the brain regions damaged in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease is that involved in sense of location, according to research 7. Because of this, having trouble with directions or getting lost in once-familiar areas is a cause for concern.
Having mental health disorders: Several mental health conditions have been associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. For example, a 2021 review 8 points to depression as a risk factor for the disease. Findings from a 2019 study 9 concluded that adults with ADHD are three times more likely to develop dementia. And other research shows that having bipolar disorder, PTSD, or schizophrenia raises the risk of cognitive decline.

The increasing role of technology in our lives makes it even more critical to investigate early signs of mental health issues and memory problems. In particular, it's vital to get an evaluation that includes functional brain imaging. Based on the brain-imaging work at my group, Amen Clinics—including over 225,000 brain SPECT scans—SPECT can identify changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's up to nine years before symptoms appear.

The takeaway

Early interventions are key to helping prevent or delay dementia—but I've seen smartphones get in the way of them in some cases. Don't let the map function on your phone or the alarm on your watch mask memory problems in you or your loved ones. The sooner you know your risk, the sooner you can take action.