10 signs to assess your risk of developing Alzheimer's

By studying 40,000 French and English patients, we have identified 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, some of which appear up to 15 years before the onset of the disease.

These signs do not constitute a diagnosis, do not replace medical advice, nor do they indicate that you will develop Alzheimer's disease. However, if you are worried about your memory, talk to your doctor and present them with the risk factors that we list below.

Learn more about the study, published in Lancet Digital Health - link to publication.

The 10 signs

As you answer the questions, count the number of “Yes” answers you give.

Do you frequently feel persistent sadness or a feeling of emptiness, accompanied by a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy?
Do you frequently experience excessive anxiety, worry that is difficult to control, accompanied by symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbance?
Have you recently developed emotional and behavioral symptoms in response to one or more stressors? Are these symptoms accompanied by marked distress, or significant impairment in social or occupational functioning?
Do you notice a decrease in your hearing, such as difficulty hearing soft sounds, or a ringing in the ears?
Do you frequently experience difficulty passing stools or periods of constipation?
Do you regularly experience stiffness or pain in your lower back or neck? Have you noticed a decrease in mobility of your spine?
Have you experienced significant weight loss for no apparent reason, that is, without intentional changes in your diet or physical activity level?
Do you frequently experience general malaise and persistent fatigue that does not seem to be explained by obvious factors such as lack of sleep or intense physical exertion?
Do you notice a decrease in your ability to remember new information, frequent forgetfulness of recent events, or difficulty remembering specific details of your daily life?
Have you ever experienced periods of sudden loss of consciousness or collapse?

Your results

If you answered 'No' to all the questions, you do not currently have the main risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, it is always recommended to monitor your health and consult a healthcare professional for regular assessments.

If you answered 'Yes' to at least one question, you have one or more risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease. This means that you have an increased risk of developing it compared to those who do not have these signs. However, this does not necessarily indicate that you will develop the disease, and conversely, some will develop it without having these factors. This assessment based on risk factors does not constitute a formal medical diagnosis.

If you are worried about your memory, we advise you to speak to a healthcare professional trained in identifying cognitive disorders, especially if you have certain risk factors.