Personality Change May Be Early Sign of Dementia

Personality Change May Be Early Sign of Dementia, Experts Say

A brain scan shows amyloid plaques in the tissue of a patient who died of Alzheimer’s disease. Credit Yankner Laboratory, Havard University

“Has the person become agitated, aggressive, irritable, or temperamental?” the questionnaire asks. “Does she/he have unrealistic beliefs about her/his power, wealth or skills?”

Or maybe another kind of personality change has happened: “Does she/he no longer care about anything?”

If the answer is yes to one of these questions — or others on a new checklist — and the personality or behavior change has lasted for months, it could indicate a very early stage of dementia, according to a group of neuropsychiatrists and Alzheimer’s experts.