Only 2 years after giving birth to her son, Gunnar, at age 44, Staci Marklin received a diagnosis that would change her and her family’s lives forever. In October 2024, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 46 while living in Knoxville, Tennessee. To connect with others and challenge misconceptions about the disease, she began sharing her journey on TikTok under the handle @tryingnottoforget. Her story, which includes a video that garnered over 200,000 views, has ignited significant discussions about Alzheimer’s effects on younger individuals.
The Symptoms That Did Not Add Up
Marklin was a registered nurse with extensive experience caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. That background made her more aware of the signs and she first suspected something was off while pregnant and during the postpartum period with Gunnar. The forgetfulness was easy to excuse. She told Newsweek, “I had been having some memory issues for about 2 years but assumed it was perimenopause.” Brain fog, memory lapses, and difficulty finding words are common perimenopause symptoms, affecting 35% to 62% of women during the transition, according to clinical research.
When the Words Stopped Making Sense
Marklin noticed a shift in her symptoms about a year before her diagnosis, when she began unintentionally substituting words. She told Unilad that she would say “move the carpet” when she meant “move the curtain.” Although these errors appeared insignificant at first, the cognitive gaps became increasingly difficult to ignore. When another coworker asked about a colleague with whom she had formerly worked closely, Marklin was unable to identify them. It took her several days to figure out who the person was. This phenomenon, in which memories completely vanish only to resurface days later, is recognized as a symptom of early cognitive decline.
Family History and a Doctor’s Reassurance
Aware of a family predisposition, Marklin raised her concerns with her physician because her grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease. Her doctor reportedly dismissed the likelihood and said such a diagnosis was “rare” at her age. This interaction illustrates a broader systemic challenge that the Alzheimer’s Society identifies: medical professionals frequently overlook dementia in younger individuals. Instead, they often misattribute early signs to life stressors, relationship issues, or the transition into menopause. The Alzheimer’s Society specifically reports that clinicians frequently, yet incorrectly, explain younger women’s emerging dementia symptoms as perimenopause.
The Diagnosis
Marklin underwent a series of neurological and cognitive assessments to reach a definitive diagnosis. By the time her evaluations began, she had already left the workforce. An amyloid PET scan confirmed her Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis by revealing amyloid plaques in her brain. Her cognitive test results were alarming, placing her in the bottom 0% to 10% for her age group. When she and her husband, Erik, received the news, they wept together, understanding that their lives had changed forever. Clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of these diagnostic tools; for example, a 2025 systematic review published in PMC shows that amyloid-PET imaging is highly specific for detecting Alzheimer’s pathology and can accurately predict cognitive decline, even in the disease’s preclinical stages.
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: A Hidden Diagnosis
Early-onset Alzheimer’s is defined as Alzheimer’s with clinical onset before the age of 65. It accounts for approximately 5% to 6% of all Alzheimer’s cases in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Roughly 6.5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, which means the early-onset form affects an estimated 220,000 to 640,000 people. The Indiana University School of Medicine describes it as “younger Alzheimer’s” to distinguish it from early-stage Alzheimer’s, which refers to disease severity rather than age. Marklin at 46 falls squarely within that definition.
The Diagnostic Delay Problem
Healthcare providers struggle to diagnose dementia promptly across all age groups. A 2025 meta-analysis led by UCL researchers and published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry examined over 30,000 global cases and found that patients typically wait 3.5 years from the onset of symptoms to receive a dementia diagnosis. For those with early-onset dementia, this wait extends to 4.1 years. The Alzheimer’s Association highlights that systemic issues within healthcare contribute to these delays; providers often overlook Alzheimer’s in patients younger than 65, leading to frequent misdiagnoses and delayed care.
A More Aggressive Disease
Early-onset Alzheimer’s differs significantly from late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Research from the NIH published in PMC indicates that early-onset cases involve a larger genetic component, follow a more aggressive disease course, and experience more diagnostic delays. Compared to older patients, those with early-onset Alzheimer’s engage more in cognitive domains beyond memory, including language and spatial reasoning. The disease advances more rapidly and exerts a greater psychosocial impact, particularly on patients who continue to work or have young children. Marklin’s case illustrates all of these characteristics.
Diagnoses on the Rise
The number of early-onset diagnoses has steadily risen. According to a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association report, diagnoses of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease increased by 200% among commercially insured Americans aged 30 to 64 between 2013 and 2017. The steepest rise occurred in the 30 to 44 age group, where diagnoses increased by 373% during that time. Women account for 58% of those diagnosed. These figures do not necessarily imply that the disease is becoming more common in young people. Early and improved detection methods are likely to contribute to the increase.
Why Women Bear a Disproportionate Burden
Nearly two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients in America are women. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 4.4 million of the 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older with the disease are women. A 65-year-old woman faces a one-in-five lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as they are to develop breast cancer over their lifetimes. Researchers cannot explain this disparity solely by longevity. Even when considering age, studies from Sweden and Europe indicate that women experience a higher incidence rate of Alzheimer’s.
The APOE4 Gene and Women
Genetics largely explains women’s increased risk. The primary genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s is the APOE4 gene. Although men and women carry the gene at equal rates, the effect varies significantly by gender. Christian Pike of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology states that one copy of APOE4 increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 4 times in women. When women have 2 copies, their risk of Alzheimer’s increases 15 times over. In contrast, having 1 copy of APOE4 poses almost no risk for men, and 2 copies only increase their risk by 4 times. This difference in gene expression means that women who carry APOE4 face a significantly different level of risk compared to men.
Immune System, Amyloid, and the Menopause Connection
Researchers at Harvard suggest that infections within the brain may trigger the formation of amyloid plaques, which are the primary hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology. This discovery holds particular significance for women, who typically have more robust immune systems than men and experience autoimmune diseases nearly twice as often. Scientists hypothesize that this heightened immune response might lead to the overproduction of amyloid if the immune system uses it as a defense mechanism against cerebral infections.
Additionally, research published in Medical Xpress in 2025 establishes a connection between severe perimenopause symptoms and an increased risk of cognitive and behavioral changes later in life. These neurological risks often relate to alterations in the brain’s glucose metabolism, a shift that occurs due to the loss of estrogen during the menopause transition. This biological link highlights the menopause transition as a critical window of neurological vulnerability for many women.
Why Perimenopause Masks Early Symptoms
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s and perimenopause overlap, creating a dangerous masking effect. Both conditions lead to memory lapses, brain fog, word-finding difficulties, and fatigue. Dementia UK highlights that these shared symptoms often cause clinicians to misattribute early dementia as perimenopause. This diagnostic challenge is particularly acute for women in their 40s and 50s, as medical professionals frequently link early cognitive decline to life events or hormonal changes.
Marklin spent years navigating this overlap, initially believing her memory issues were merely a normal part of perimenopause. Her nursing background, which included extensive experience with dementia patients, enabled her to recognize that her symptoms had progressed too far. However, most women without specific medical knowledge lack clear indicators that their cognitive gaps are pathological rather than hormonal. For patients in a treatment window where options like Leqembi are most effective, such delays can cost them valuable years of early intervention.
Living With the Diagnosis
Currently, Marklin experiences short-term memory loss, fatigue, and difficulty finding words. She modifies her son’s pull-up but instantly forgets that she has done it. She describes potty training as “not going well.” Additionally, she relies on caffeine throughout the day and takes naps when Gunnar naps due to her tiredness. The symptom she finds most challenging is the loss of her confidence as a parent. In a TikTok video that has garnered almost 200,000 views, she says, “I don’t feel safe.” “I’m not sure when I might start to get confused or sidetracked.” Her husband frequently travels for long stretches as a merchant marine, while her mother and mother-in-law step in to provide support during those times.
Leqembi: A New Treatment Option
Marklin is now receiving lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted traditional approval to Leqembi for early Alzheimer’s disease, including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association describes it as the first traditionally approved treatment that addresses the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s and meaningfully changes the disease course at the early stage. It works by reducing beta-amyloid in the brain. Clinical data presented at the 2025 CTAD conference showed that patients who started treatment earlier demonstrated the greatest benefit, with the potential to delay progression from mild cognitive impairment to moderate Alzheimer’s by up to 8.3 years in the lowest amyloid group.
The Stigma She Fights
Marklin has faced disbelief beyond her physical symptoms. She told Newsweek: “Nobody really believed me because of the stigma associated with this disease. Many people see this as a disease of the older population and believe that those with this disease are incapable and can’t do anything for themselves.” The Mayo Clinic confirms that clinicians and patients are less likely to expect Alzheimer’s when it presents in middle age, leading to a higher chance of misdiagnosis. This stigma delays treatment, isolates patients, and adds emotional weight to an already devastating diagnosis. To challenge this narrative and find others in her position, Marklin started her TikTok as a platform for advocacy and visibility.
Warning Signs Experts Say to Watch
Professor of psychiatry and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, Dr. Mary Sano, notes several early warning signals that deviate from typical aging. Key signals are gaps in memory for regular events, such as not being able to remember breakfast or an evening ritual. Another is misplacing objects in odd places, like keys in the refrigerator. Early cognitive change may also be indicated by unusual anxiety about memory lapses, where a person becomes irritable or withdrawn around their own performance. The most important step, Sano notes, is openness to concern from others. “Be open to the fact that someone says, ‘I don’t think you’re doing this as well as you used to,'” she advises.
New Diagnostic Tools and What They Mean
Diagnosis is becoming more accessible. In May 2025, the FDA approved the Lumipulse blood test, the first blood test approved for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It measures the ratio of beta-amyloid and tau proteins in a simple blood draw. Beta-amyloid in its toxic form begins accumulating in the brain up to 20 years before symptoms appear. The Lumipulse test is intended for use in specialized care settings for patients aged 55 and older with symptoms. In October 2025, the FDA approved a second test. The Elecsys pTau181, developed by Roche and Eli Lilly, is the first Alzheimer’s blood test cleared for use in primary care settings. In a clinical trial of 312 participants, it correctly ruled out Alzheimer’s 97.9% of the time.
Read More: 41-Year-Old Man with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Shares His First Symptoms
Earlier Testing, Better Outcomes
Advanced diagnostic tools are transforming dementia care, offering benefits beyond mere convenience. By diagnosing patients earlier, healthcare providers can connect them to treatments like Leqembi at the most effective time for intervention, potentially changing the disease’s course before significant cognitive damage occurs. A 2025 amyloid PET study published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging highlights the clinical value of these early screenings, revealing that baseline amyloid scans can identify future cognitive decline risk in individuals with only subjective concerns, even before standard tests show any abnormalities.
Identifying amyloid pathology in its preclinical stages is crucial for younger patients like Staci Marklin, who actively advocates for this proactive approach. By using tools such as PET scans or the newly approved Lumipulse and Elecsys blood tests, clinicians can shorten the typical diagnostic delays that often leave early-onset patients waiting over four years for answers. “I want to raise awareness that new diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s can help diagnose the disease earlier, leading to earlier treatment and hopefully better outcomes,” Marklin told Newsweek. By expanding access to these diagnostics, we ensure that patients can receive amyloid-reducing therapies during the critical window when they offer the greatest neuroprotective benefits.
Lifestyle Factors Still Matter
Scientists have not yet found a clear way to stop Alzheimer’s, but research suggests that certain lifestyle choices build cognitive resilience. Dr. Mary Sano, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, counsels patients to routinely assess three areas: their degree of social and intellectual engagement, the quality of their diet, and the consistency of their exercise habits. Harvard Health Publishing links several specific behaviors to a lower dementia risk, including at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days per week, a Mediterranean diet, adequate sleep, and participation in cognitively stimulating social activities.
Researchers are actively studying whether these habits can postpone or slow the onset of the disease. None of these measures offers a guaranteed shield against Alzheimer’s. However, the body of evidence supporting their effect on long-term brain health continues to grow, and clinicians increasingly treat them as a practical first line of defense.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric, or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a licensed mental health professional, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist with any questions or concerns about your emotional well-being or mental health conditions. Never ignore professional advice or delay seeking support because of something you have read here.
A.I. Disclaimer: This article was created with AI assistance and edited by a human for accuracy and clarity.
Read More: Eat These Common Foods to Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk – Experts