'LATE Dementia diagnoses on the rise: How different is it from Alzheimer's?'

 When we think of cognitive decline and progressive brain disorders, we tend to think of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, etc, and we frequently club them together in the same bracket as if both those conditions were synonymous with each other.

However, the reality is different.

While dementia is an umbrella term for a group of progressive brain conditions that cause a decline in cognitive functions like memory, thinking, and reasoning, to the point where it interferes with daily life, Alzheimer’s disease is part of that umbrella — and one of the most commonly occurring ones.

But it isn’t just Alzheimer's disease anymore. Researchers are increasingly recognising other forms of dementia that may behave differently, progress faster, or with different symptoms, and sometimes get misdiagnosed.

One of them is LATE dementia.

A growing number of older adults around the world are being diagnosed with dementia much later than they should be. Experts are now warning about a form of memory disorder called LATE dementia — short for Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy. And because its symptoms closely resemble Alzheimer’s disease, many patients are misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late, which delays treatment, care planning, and quality of life.

What is LATE Dementia?

As the global population ages and dementia cases increase rapidly, Alzheimer’s disease remains the most well-known cause. But now, doctors are recognising LATE dementia as a major but underdiagnosed condition, especially in people above 80 years of age.

LATE stands for Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy. It is a brain disorder caused by the abnormal build-up of a protein called TDP-43 in areas of the brain that control memory and emotions, especially the hippocampus and limbic system.

This protein build-up damages brain cells and leads to slow, steady memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks. LATE mainly affects the very elderly, usually people over 80 years of age, unlike Alzheimer’s, which can start earlier.

How is LATE dementia different from Alzheimer’s

For years, many LATE patients were wrongly labelled as having Alzheimer’s, leading to confusion in treatment and care outcomes. Although the symptoms may look similar, the diseases inside the brain are very different.

• Alzheimer’s disease is caused by plaques of beta-amyloid and tangles of tau protein, while LATE dementia is caused by the TDP-43 protein.
• Alzheimer’s often begins between the ages of 60–75, whereas LATE usually appears after 80.
• Memory loss in LATE may progress more slowly at first.
• Many patients actually have both Alzheimer’s and LATE, which leads to faster mental decline.
• Because standard brain scans cannot easily detect TDP-43, LATE is often confirmed only after death, making living diagnosis a major challenge.

Why are LATE diagnoses increasing?

As per experts, LATE dementia is rising for three main reasons:

Longer life expectancy: More people are living into their 80s and 90s, when LATE is most common.

Low awareness: Many doctors and families still assume all memory loss is Alzheimer’s.

Lack of testing tools: There is no simple blood test or scan yet to detect TDP-43 in living patients.

As a result, many elderly patients receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis that may not fully explain their symptoms or treatment response.

Early signs of LATE dementia

The early symptoms are subtle and often mistaken for normal aging:

• Forgetting recent conversations
• Misplacing items frequently
• Repeating the same questions
• Trouble following conversations
• Mild confusion in familiar places
• Changes in mood, anxiety, or withdrawal

As the disease progresses, patients may develop:

Severe memory loss

• Difficulty speaking
• Poor judgement
• Loss of independence
• Behavioral changes

Who is at risk?

The strongest risk factor for LATE is advanced age. Other important risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• History of stroke
• Smoking
• Genetic susceptibility in some families

People with long-term vascular problems appear to have a higher chance of developing this condition.

How can LATE dementia be managed?

There is no specific cure for LATE dementia — yet. And since it behaves like Alzheimer’s in many ways, patients are often treated with the same medicines used for memory support. However, these drugs may not always work as well.

Meanwhile, LATE dementia management mainly focuses on memory-supporting medications (when advised), controlling blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol, mental stimulation through reading, puzzles, and conversation, and physical activity to support brain health. A well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fats, and strong emotional and family support are always recommended. Besides, caregiver education is also vital, as LATE patients often require long-term supervision.

Why early detection matters

Late diagnosis means families lose precious time to plan care, adjust lifestyles, begin therapy, and arrange legal and financial decisions. It also increases emotional stress for both patients and caregivers. Early recognition allows better symptom control and safer living arrangements.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/other/late-dementia-diagnoses-on-the-rise-how-different-is-it-from-alzheimers/ar-AA1RBlPR