India, July 31 -- T he recently released Bollywood film Saiyaara has struck an emotional chord with audiences, not just for its compelling storyline but for spotlighting a lesser-known medical reality. The film follows a young couple navigating life's unpredictable twists, only for the female lead's journey to be disrupted by memory loss. But this isn't just the kind of forgetfulness we joke about - it's early-onset Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia that affects people well before their golden years. We spoke to medical experts to understand the early signs, symptoms, risk factors and how this condition can be managed. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, typically associated with memory loss and cognitive decline. Early-onset Alzheimer's, or younger-onset Alzheimer's, is diagnosed before the age of 65 and accounts for 5-8% of all Alzheimer's cases, according to Dr Abhas Kumar, consultant neurologist at RJN Apollo Spectra Hospital, Gwalior. While cases in very young adults (such as those in their early 20s) are extremely rare, the condition involves progressive neurodegeneration triggered by abnormal protein accumulation in the brain. "These deposits disrupt communication between nerve cells, causing inflammation and oxidative stress," explains Dr Neha Kapoor, associate director and Head of Neurology at Asian Hospital, adding, "The hippocampus, which is essential for memory formation, is often the first region affected. As the disease progresses, it spreads to the cerebral cortex, impacting language, reasoning, and behaviour." While Alzheimer's can occur sporadically, early-onset cases tend to have a stronger genetic component. "It may run in families, though having a family history doesn't guarantee inheritance," says Dr Kumar, "Certain rare genetic mutations, especially in the APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes, can increase the risk significantly if passed down from a parent." The early signs of EOAD (Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease) are often subtle and easily mistaken for stress, burnout or the natural effects of ageing. "These may include difficulty concentrating, forgetting recent events, struggling to plan or organise tasks, or frequently misplacing items," says Dr Bhaskar Shukla, Consultant Neurologist at PSRI Hospital, adding, "Changes in personality, increased irritability or social withdrawal can also be red flags." Interestingly, EOAD often progresses more aggressively than the late-onset form. "Younger patients may experience language difficulties, visual-spatial issues or mood disturbances earlier in the disease. Job performance and handling complex tasks may also become more difficult, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed detection," Dr Shukla adds. Diagnosing EOAD requires a multi-layered approach involving cognitive assessments, neurological exams and advanced imaging tools. "MRI and CT scans are used to rule out other conditions, while PET scans and cerebrospinal fluid analysis can detect hallmark signs like amyloid plaques and tau protein buildup," says Dr Shukla. In cases with a strong family history, genetic testing may also be advised....