A Case Report Exploring Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease With No Known Family History

This case report conveys a rare presentation of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) in a 58-year-old female with no family history of dementia. The patient demonstrates progressive cognitive decline with features of memory loss and associated severe language impairment, subsequently leading to a delay in the definite diagnosis. A systematic literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar was undertaken to explore the features of EOAD and how it differs from late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), focusing on risk factors, clinical presentation, investigation, and management. Although this patient was not known to have a family history of AD, evidence suggestive of EOAD could be observed within a series of neuroimaging and diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging scans, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and blood tests. Management of EOAD involves a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions using a biopsychosocial approach. Overall, the case highlights challenges in recognition of EOAD in its early stages of presentation for patients with no family predisposition, whilst emphasizing the importance of early detection and management to help improve patient outcomes. It also focuses attention on the significant impact a condition such as EOAD can have on the family members involved. Further research would be required to potentially redefine diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for conditions of such rarity.