Doctors warn of early dementia sign often missed in memory tests

When most people think of the first signs of dementia, memory loss comes to mind. But clinicians and researchers are increasingly urging families to watch out for another cognitive change that may show up earlier—and can slip past the kinds of tests often used in routine checkups.

A new book by Swansea University neuropsychologist Andrea Tales argues that attention changes can be common across different dementias—and may, in some cases, appear before obvious memory problems.

Tales told Newsweek that attention has been overlooked in part because it is simply harder for the public to recognize and describe than memory.

“Everyone knows what [memory] is and can describe and report changes,” Tales said, adding that there is “much less public understanding of attention”—including the fact that there are different “types” of attention, just as there are different types of memory.

That gap matters because it can feel easier to tell a doctor “I’m worried about my memory” than “I think I have a problem with my attention,” she added.

So, what might changes in attention look like on a day-to-day basis? Tales said research is still catching up on how people experience these shifts subjectively; she also emphasized that changes in attention, like changes in memory, do not automatically mean dementia.

“Some people might however report that they experience over-distractibility, difficulty in focusing attention, searching for objects in cluttered environments, dual tasking—like walking and talking—switching attention from one thing to another, and some people may experience fluctuations in attention or concentration, and being able to plan ahead and make decisions,” Tales said.

The concern is that early attention problems can be missed if screening relies on tools weighted toward memory. For example, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used but often not sensitive to early cognitive change and it tests a limited number of cognitive domains.

Tales also stressed that attention—especially executive function—is already taken seriously in healthcare, but she believes other, less well-known aspects of attention deserve more emphasis, particularly at early stages.

“Awareness of such changes may help in early diagnosis and a person’s journey through treatment by ensuring that attention-related changes are assessed… when measuring a person’s quality of life and their daily functionality,” she added.

Greater awareness could also help families provide more targeted support. If someone struggles to find items in busy environments, for instance, reducing clutter may make daily life easier.

If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, Tales recommended speaking with a healthcare professional, especially if changes are new, worsening or affecting everyday functioning.

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