The Four Stages of Alzheimer's: Spotting the Signs and Climbing the Ladder Back Up the Stages
Did You Know?
There are four stages leading to Alzheimer's. Like a game of snakes and ladders you can slide down a snake to a lower stage, but did you know…..that you can also climb the ladder up to an earlier stage.
Starting with stage 1 - the Preclinical phase with no symptoms, and progressing to stage 4 - Alzheimer’s disease, changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s take place slowly, over 20 years or more.
The good news? No matter where you are at from stage 1 to stage 4, there’s a lot you can do to prevent ‘full’ Alzheimer’s disease and climb back up the stages. The earlier you start, the more effective your steps can be!
Imagine your brain is like a car. When it's new, it runs smoothly and efficiently. Over time, without regular maintenance, small issues can arise. A tiny spot of rust might appear on the bodywork. At first, it's barely noticeable and doesn't affect the car's performance. If you ignore it, that small spot can spread, leading to significant damage that compromises the car's structural integrity and safety.
Let’s take a closer look at the four stages of changes that lead to Alzheimer’s symptoms, what they mean for you and importantly where can you intervene to take steps to stop it in its path and climb back up the stages.
1. Silent Beginnings: The Preclinical Stage
This is where the journey toward Alzheimer’s often starts - but you wouldn’t know it.
Your brain is already working hard to deal with changes that could cause problems years down the line.
Sticky clumps of a protein called amyloid-beta start forming between brain cells and another protein, tau, begins tangling up inside cells. Though these proteins have protective roles, their buildup interferes with brain cell communication. Previously healthy neurons may stop functioning and lose connections with other neurons. Many other complex brain changes are also thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s.
The preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease is a silent stage that can span years, even decades, before any noticeable symptoms emerge. At this stage, symptoms are subtle, but you might notice:
Occasional forgetfulness: Misplacing items or forgetting names.
Word-finding pauses: Struggling to recall words mid-conversation.
Brain fog: Feeling like your thoughts are slower or clouded.
This stage is your golden opportunity to take preventative action! Small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference later on.
2. Subjective Cognitive Impairment (SCI): When You Aren’t Feeling the Sharpest
In this stage, you might sense something isn’t quite right, even if medical tests don’t show a problem. It’s as if your brain isn’t firing on all cylinders, but others may not notice it yet.
By now, amyloid plaques and tau tangles are creating enough disruption to affect your mental sharpness. While the changes are subtle, they’re still a wake-up call to take action.
At this stage, you might notice:
Memory hiccups: Forgetting names, appointments, or where you put things.
Word-finding struggles: Searching for the right words during conversations.
Focus difficulties: Trouble concentrating or staying on task.
Feeling off: A general sense that your brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be.
Mood: Mood disorders, contributing to social withdrawal.
The good news?
You can still take steps to turn things around to climb back up the stages. The Bredesen Protocol® highlights over 36 contributors that are likely causing the problem and leading to cognitive decline. Taking steps in identifying the contributors, removing the contributors and boosting brain support equips you to climb the ladder back up to earlier stages.
3. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): When Changes Are Noticeable
By this stage, brain changes are harder to ignore- not just for you, but for those around you too. MCI is like that point when your car starts making a strange noise. It’s still running, but it’s clear something needs attention.
Memory and thinking skills take a more significant hit, and everyday tasks may feel harder. However, you can still live independently. With MCI, you might notice:
Memory troubles: Frequently forgetting conversations, appointments, or details.
Losing the thread: Struggling to follow conversations or instructions.
Decision-making issues: Trouble organizing, planning, or making choices.
Getting lost: Feeling disoriented in familiar places.
Mood changes: Increased frustration or anxiety as challenges become clearer.
Older people with MCI are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s. Many people with MCI don’t progress to Alzheimer’s - particularly if they take proactive steps to climb back up the ladder.
Did you know that our bodies and brains are designed to heal?
When the brain's environment is in balance, both the brain and body can thrive and heal. This healing environment is created by removing harmful influences including those that lead to inflammation and toxicity and boosting brain support with essential nutrients and oxygen.
4. Alzheimer’s Disease: When Symptoms Are Significant
Alzheimer’s marks the most advanced stage of brain changes. Memory loss and confusion are profound, and day-to-day independence becomes impossible.
At this stage, common symptoms include:
Significant memory loss: Forgetting loved ones, personal history, or familiar routines.
Difficulty recognizing family and friends.
Severe impairment in daily tasks: Dressing, bathing, and cooking require help.
Behavioral changes: Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness.
Poor judgment: Deepening confusion about time, place, or circumstances.
While this stage is very challenging, it’s important to know that interventions using the Bredesen Protocol have shown to help people improve cognition all the way up to early-stage Alzheimer’s (i.e. early stage 4). The earlier you start, the better your results can be.
Your Brain, Your Future
The road to Alzheimer’s is not inevitable and Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal part of ageing. Whether you’re noticing subtle changes or just want to safeguard your brain, the best time to act is now to avoid the snakes (and sliding down the stages!) and instead climb the ladder to earlier stages!
What You Can Do
Cognevity supports you in climbing the ladder and climbing the stages - get in touch here for support on what you can do. The earlier you start the better and it’s never too late to start!
Further Reading and References
National Institute on Aging. (October 2024). Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two phases | National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Aging. (2024). What Are the Signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s Association: Stages of Alzheimer's disease