11 September 2023 , 15:21
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Alzheimer's is commonly associated with elderly patients but the disease can also be a rare disorder for children - with parents being urged to spot eight "visible" symptoms.
Although the disease typically affects people who are 65 years old and above, rare disorders such as Childhood Alzheimer's can affect between 1 in 40,000 with Sanfilippo syndrome and 1 in 60,000 people with Niemann-Pick (NPC) disease.
The diseases is referred to as "childhood Alzheimer's" as many of the symptoms are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease in adults. Sanfilippo syndrome is a metabolic disorder that can cause brain damage, which can cause symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, eating, or walking.
While NPC disease can cause symptoms such as difficulty with speech and coordination. Both disorders belong to a group known as lysosomal storage disorders and are extremely rare.
Identifying the conditions can be challenging in the first few years of the child's life, with both conditions more detectable in children 4 years old and above. But as the conditions are very rare, doctors will go through a long list of other conditions that could be causing the child's symptoms before diagnosing them with Childhood Alzheimer's.
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There are multiple symptoms to look out for (Getty Images/Image Source)The tests carried out by the child's doctor will be through genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis. Only around 1 in 70,000 babies is diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, which means it's essential to not dismiss any unexplainable symptoms your child might feature.
However, the condition can be identified and diagnosed during pregnancy with tests able to see whether the baby's lysosomes are functioning correctly.
The causes of childhood Alzheimer's are due to lysosomes which make up the part of your cells that helps your body break down carbohydrates and lipids. People who have lysosome storage can see a build-up of fats in parts of the body, including the brain. It can be fatal as organs can be filled with fat and could lead to death.
Although, it's not clear what causes the disorder in children. Doctors believe genetics plays a crucial role in parents carrying the genes for either condition, even if they don't have it themselves.
Symptoms of Childhood Alzheimer's in Sanfilippo syndrome
- Decline in motor skills, such as walking
- Having slurred speech or being unable to speak
- Decline in muscle tone
- Blinking rapidly
- Slow intellectual development
- Behavioral challenges
- Seizures
- Difficulty seeing or hearing
Symptoms of Niemann-Pick (NPC) disease
- Undefined muscle tone
- Respiratory infections
- Odd eye movements
- Cognitive decline
- Difficulty eating
Is there treatment for Childhood Alzheimer’s?
Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) and Sanfilippo syndrome are rare and often fatal diseases, which means research is continuing into finding a potential cure and effective treatment for the conditions. Sadly, as both conditions are progressive, children with either condition will develop worsening symptoms as they get older.
However, physical therapist to help build muscle strength and cope with muscle weakness is recommended by experts. And as the diseases, cause difficulty swallowing, it's crucial to ensure your child eats the right diet. In addition, a speech therapist can also help with communication skills.