Drastic shift in personality could be tell-tale sign of dementia, expert claims

23 December 2023 , 08:00

501     0

Changes in behaviour in general can be indicative of dementia as it impacts the brain (Image: Getty Images)

Before Kevin Jameson's wife tragically died a few years ago, her mind had been deteriorating at a rapid, concerning rate.

She had been diagnosed with dementia, a progressive condition that causes patients to lose one or more functions of daily living as their mental capacity gradually worsens.

But before that diagnosis came and answers began pouring in, it was one particular behaviour Jameson's wife had been exhibiting that tipped him off to the fact that something was wrong.

"One of the early things that went on with her situation was a dramatic change in her personality," Jameson told The Mirror US. "It wasn't necessarily memory loss that was the first sign for her."

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Dementia risk: Six simple things you can do to reduce chance of developing condition

England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife

Kevin Jameson's wife became caustic and accusatory after dementia began to warp her mind (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Jameson, who is the president, CEO and board chairman of the Dementia Society of America, has been working to find a cure for the collection of syndromes known as dementia, which he defined as "symptoms caused by a disease, diseaes or disorders or conditions," dubbing it "an umbrella condition" akin to the term "cancer."

It was his wife's diagnosis and subsequent death that set him on the path he's been on for years now, and in that time, he has learned a lot about what causes dementia and what to look out for in loved ones who may be at risk of being diagnosed with it.

In his wife's case, he said she became "very caustic and accusatory," which he said was "very out of character for her." Of his wife, he said: "She was normally a bubbly, vivacious woman. And just like anybody, she could get upset, but she became very caustic."

The various types of dementia impact the brain in different ways, and some, like frontotemporal dementia, can lead to personality changes (Getty Images/Image Source)

He said he even considered divorcing her because of her behaviour, stating that it was "really that bad." But when he discovered that she had a form of dementia, things changed.

"Eventually, it led to a point where so many things were going on with her cognitively that I was like, 'This isn't a marriage issue,'" he said. "I think a lot of people miss it because they only think about memory loss."

Personality changes are a common factor that could indicate a deeper issue, he said, and those with loved ones at risk of the syndrome should be weary of that as they try to figure out what might be going on with their loved one.

Inappropriate behaviour is also a common symptom of dementia, he added. "As an example, people can swear when they don't normally swear. They could touch people in a sexual way, inappropriately, or make comments," he said.

Such symptoms are most common in frontotemporal dementia, one of the six major types, Jameson said. Frontotemporal dementia impacts the frontal lobe of the brain, which controls behaivour by regulating inhibitions and also language. A person who has never shoplifted a day in their lives might snatch something from the store one day if they begin to experience the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, he said.

"These are subtle signs that people have a cognitive impairment that may be on the verge of something much more than that," Jameson said. But how can individuals reverse the impacts of dementia or mitigate their risk of developing the syndrome?

People with dementia tend to lose one or more functions of daily living as the disease progresses (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

That becomes a tricky affair, Jameson said, as "there's not been a silver bullet to stop or reverse dementia" yet. He said: "Some of the newer drugs are clearing out the beta amyloid, but it doesn't always translate that the person regains or dramatically improves their cognition over time. It's a great advance, but at the same time, it's also not proven to be a slam dunk cure or reversal of any kind."

'So fed up of tiresome pal flirting with my husband and always putting me down'

Beta amyloid is a type of amino acid that can build up in the brain and that has been linked to certain types of dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. It builds up when the brain's regulation abilities fail to remove the waste.

There are a few different ways to stave off dementia, Jameson said (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Jameson recommends making lifestyle changes and addressing pre-existing conditions like poor vision or hearing, diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking and drinking to lead a healthier life that also involves sufficient mental stimulation. For mental stimulation, he also recommends trying new things, socialising with others and having conversations, reading and participating in other activities that require thought. Exercising is also integral, he said.

"We have a long way to go to find things that are going to make a significant and lasting impact on the various causes of dementia, but the number one thing you can do is take those proactive steps, those lifestyle steps," he concluded. "It may not be that you're going to stop dementia from coming your way in the future, but you can do a lot to mitigate the risks so you can stave off and possibly outlive it."

Jeremiah Hassel