British TV presenter Fiona Phillips, 64, has opened up about her early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, shedding light on how easily they can be mistaken for other conditions—like menopause. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2023, Phillips told the Daily Mail that she first noticed persistent brain fog, anxiety, and unpredictable mood swings that she initially dismissed.
“The simplest thing, like going to the bank, would send me into a total panic,” she wrote. “Even I couldn’t predict my behavior. I felt I’d lost control over my life.”
As Phillips shares her experience, new research from UCLA is offering fresh insight into the condition’s progression. A study published in eBioMedicine analyzed nearly 25,000 patient records and uncovered four distinct pathways that may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings may help doctors better detect and understand the condition before it fully takes hold.
The Four Identified Pathways to Alzheimer’s
1. Mental Health Pathway
Psychiatric conditions—especially untreated depression—can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While depression may itself be a symptom of the disease, it can also be a contributing factor when left unmanaged.
2. Encephalopathy Pathway
Brain dysfunction caused by genetics, infections, or traumatic brain injuries can evolve into Alzheimer’s. This pathway highlights the importance of monitoring long-term neurological health, especially after brain trauma.
3. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Pathway
People experiencing memory or thinking issues beyond what’s typical for their age—but not severe enough to affect daily life—may be showing signs of MCI. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with MCI are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
4. Vascular Disease Pathway
Heart-related conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular disease can impair brain blood flow, which may contribute to cognitive decline. The study found that in many cases, high blood pressure preceded depressive episodes—further increasing Alzheimer’s risk.
Approximately 26% of patients in the study showed a clear, step-by-step progression between these pathways. This reinforces the need for doctors to look at patterns, not just isolated symptoms.
“Recognizing these sequential patterns rather than focusing on diagnoses in isolation may help clinicians improve Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis,” said Dr. Timothy Chang, lead author and assistant professor of neurology at UCLA Health.
If you or a loved one has been affected by Alzheimer’s and need support, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline at 800.272.3900.