When you hear the word “Childhood Alzheimer’s,” you’re probably thinking of a specific type of Alzheimer’s disease that affects youngsters. But there’s more to it than that. That, however, is not the case in practice.

Childhood Alzheimer’s disease is not a clinical diagnosis but rather a term that some people use to refer to a number of distinct illnesses that damage a child’s memory and communication abilities in early childhood.

The manifestation of these diseases can be quite similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease, although the underlying etiology is substantially different. Both disorders are extremely rare and are passed down through families through genetics.

What Exactly is Childhood Alzheimer’s Disease?

In this context, the phrase “Childhood Alzheimer’s” refers to two distinct disorders that cause youngsters to experience memory loss as well as other symptoms often associated with Alzheimer’s disease as they grow older.

Childhood Alzheimer’s disease can refer to any of the following:

• Type C Niemann-Pick disease is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system (NPC)
• This condition is known as Sanfilippo syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III)

Both diseases are classified as lysosomal storage disorders, which are a type of metabolic ailment. When a child suffers from one of these hereditary illnesses, the lysosomes in their cells are unable to perform their functions effectively.

Cellular lysosomes aid in the breakdown of sugar and cholesterol so that the body may make use of them. When lysosomes aren’t functioning properly, these nutrients accumulate inside cells instead of being eliminated.

Cells begin to malfunction and finally die as a result of this. NPC and MPS III patients experience memory lapses and other cognitive impairments as a result of cell death.

Compared to classic Alzheimer’s disease, this is a more severe condition. When an adult develops Alzheimer’s disease, there is an excess of a protein known as beta-amyloid in their brain. The protein forms clumps between cells as it travels between them.

When this happens over time, it disrupts neural connections in the brain, resulting in memory loss and other issues.

The terms “childhood Alzheimer’s” and “childhood dementia” are interchangeable.

While the terms childhood Alzheimer’s and childhood dementia may sound similar, they are not the same disorder. While Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two distinct illnesses in adults, childhood dementia is distinct from childhood Alzheimer’s disease and vice versa.

Dementia in childhood is caused by a set of diseases collectively known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Proteins and lipids accumulate in the body of a child who has NCL, causing the infant to deteriorate.

NCL is a deadly disease, similar to childhood Alzheimer’s. Children frequently die when they are between the ages of 10 and 15 years.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

The initial signs and symptoms of childhood Alzheimer’s disease are related to the brain. Memory and communication will be difficult for the children to master. They may have difficulty retaining new information and may even lose motor or other skills that they had previously acquired.

The harshness of the signs will vary depending on the child and if the youngster has NPC or MPS III. The following are examples of common childhood Alzheimer’s symptoms:

• speech that is slurred
• loss of ability to speak at all shortness of breath swelling in the stomach yellow-tinged skin referred to as jaundice difficulty making eye contact difficulty tracking lights or objects with the eyes problem swallowing the loss of muscle tone and control
• deterioration of motor capabilities
• convulsions accompanied by quick blinking

Children with MPS III may also be affected by the following conditions:

• insomnia
• hyperactivity
• hair that is coarse and big foreheads
• concerns about one’s behavior
• problems with the digestive system

Symptoms can manifest themselves at any moment between the ages of a few months and early adulthood in either form. The majority of the time, however, symptoms will begin to manifest themselves when a child is between the ages of 3.5 and 10 years old.

Because both NPC and MPS III are degenerative diseases, symptoms will progressively worsen over time.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease in Children?

Genetics plays a tremendous part in the development of both kinds of infantile dementia. Because the diseases are recessive, both parents must be carriers of the disease gene in order for a kid to be born with it.

One in every four children born to parents who both inherit the genes that cause childhood Alzheimer’s disease will develop the disorder.

Parents pass down genes that are unable to make the proteins that their children’s cells require to function properly. When the lysosomes in cells are unable to operate effectively, the body is unable to manufacture the other substances that it needs to function properly.

Fats, cholesterol, and carbohydrates will eventually accumulate in the cells of a youngster who is suffering from this condition. This will result in a deterioration in the function of the brain and organs.

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed in Children?

For some medical illnesses connected with the phrase childhood Alzheimer’s, such as Alzheimer’s disease, it can take years before a diagnosis is made. Because these disorders are extremely rare, a kid may first be diagnosed with one of the more frequent conditions.

Suppose you take your child to frequent wellness checkups. In that case, their developmental progress can be evaluated, and any delays can be addressed as early as possible, which will help them to grow and develop more quickly.

Considering that early symptoms frequently influence learning and motor skills, children may be wrongly labeled with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, or other developmental disorders, to name a few examples.

Youngsters with NPC or MPS III, on the other hand, will develop more symptoms over time as their diseases progress, in contrast to children with more prevalent conditions.

Eventually, they will experience symptoms that are not consistent with their earlier diagnosis. This frequently encourages parents to seek a second opinion to ensure that they are receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Genetic testing is frequently required before a diagnosis can be made for children with these illnesses. It is possible that they will need to see a professional before they can get answers concerning their issue. Testing, on the other hand, is becoming less difficult.

Previously, biopsies were required for children suspected of having NPC or MPS III in order to confirm the diagnosis. Recent advancements have made it possible to diagnose an individual with a basic blood test.

What is the Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease in Children?

There is presently no known remedy for either type of childhood Alzheimer’s disease, and there are no effective treatments available.

Because there are no known treatments for this disease, a plan of care will most likely focus on alleviating the symptoms and ensuring that the kid has the best possible quality of life during his or her lifetime.

In the case of a child with difficulty swallowing due to childhood Alzheimer’s, a special diet consisting of food that has been diced up or pureed to make it easier to swallow may be beneficial.

Balance, motor skills, and muscle weakness can all be improved with the help of other professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists. Speech therapists can assist kids in learning how to swallow foods and liquids securely.

Clinical trials are being conducted right now.

Some families may decide to participate in clinical trials and experiment with new therapies. Research is now being conducted to determine whether gene or enzyme therapy may one day be used to treat children with Alzheimer’s disease.

These treatments have not been tested or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America (FDA). However, for many families, the likelihood that these therapies will have a positive impact outweighs the risk of going through with them.

What is the Prognosis for Children Who Have Been Diagnosed with Childhood Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease in childhood is usually fatal. The majority of children with either type of cancer die before they reach the age of 20; however, in certain rare situations, children may live into their 30s.

Overall, children with MPS III have a slightly higher life expectancy, with an average lifespan ranging between 15 and 20 years in most cases. Children with NPC frequently die before reaching the age of ten.

It is more common for children whose symptoms show later in childhood to have a slower advancing variant of pediatric Alzheimer’s disease. They may experience a slighter decrease than children who first displayed symptoms as newborns or toddlers.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for childhood Alzheimer’s disease, no matter when the symptoms first occur.

Finding Assistance for Children with Alzheimer’s Disease

When your child is said to be with a rare and potentially fatal disease such as childhood Alzheimer’s, the experience can be stressful. One of the most efficacious methods to obtain treatment is to not go through it alone. Organizations such as the following can provide assistance:

• The National MPS Society is a non-profit organization.
• The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Sanfilippo’s disease.
• Jonah had just begun his journey.
• The National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of Niemann-Pick disease.
• The Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to medical research.
• The Support of Accelerated Research for the National Physical Laboratory (NPC)