PANAJI: As Goa’s population continues to age, neurologists are witnessing a steady rise in cases of memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline, raising concerns that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia could become significant public health challenges in the state.
While occasional forgetfulness is often dismissed as a normal part of ageing, medical experts caution that dementia is a progressive neurological condition that requires greater awareness, timely diagnosis, and long-term care.
Observed globally every June, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month serves as an opportunity to highlight a condition that affects millions of families worldwide. According to global estimates, more than 55 million people are currently living with dementia, with a new case diagnosed every three seconds. In India, nearly 8.8 million people above the age of 60 are estimated to be living with dementia, accounting for around 7.4 per cent of the elderly population.
For Goa, the issue is particularly significant. Census data indicates that approximately 11.2 per cent of the state’s population comprises senior citizens, considerably higher than the national average of 8.6 per cent. As life expectancy continues to improve, healthcare experts believe dementia-related illnesses will increasingly impact families, caregivers, and healthcare systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Amrut S. D., Consultant Neurologist, Manipal Hospital, Goa, said Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and gradually affects a person’s memory, thinking abilities, and day-to-day functioning.
“Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a condition that leads to a gradual loss of memory, thinking ability, and daily functioning. It usually develops slowly and worsens over time, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to carry out everyday tasks,” he said.
Dr. Amrut explained that the earliest symptoms often go unnoticed or are mistaken for normal ageing.
“Early warning signs include memory loss that interferes with daily life, difficulty finding the right words, frequently misplacing belongings, poor judgement, personality changes, and problems with planning or solving simple tasks. Recognising these symptoms early is essential so that appropriate care and treatment can begin at the earliest,” he said.
Highlighting advances in diagnosis, Dr. Amrut said modern medicine has significantly improved the ability to detect Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier stage.
“Recent medical advances have made early diagnosis much more accurate. Blood tests can now identify biomarkers such as plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau217 and p-tau181), amyloid-beta levels, and neurofilament light chain (NfL), which can detect changes in the brain even before symptoms become obvious. MRI scans help identify shrinkage in areas such as the hippocampus and temporal lobes, while PET scans can detect amyloid plaque and tau protein accumulation within the brain,” he explained.
He said treatment depends on the stage of the disease and involves a combination of medication and supportive therapies.
“Non-drug interventions remain extremely important. Brain stimulation activities, memory exercises, regular physical activity, social engagement, and caregiver education all play a vital role in maintaining quality of life. Medicines such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and memantine can also help manage symptoms and slow disease progression in selected patients,” he said.
Dr. Amrut further highlighted the emergence of newer disease-modifying therapies that offer fresh hope for patients diagnosed during the early stages.
“A major recent breakthrough is the availability of therapies that specifically target amyloid plaques in the brain. Donanemab, which has recently been approved in India for selected patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, has demonstrated encouraging results in slowing cognitive decline. Early diagnosis using these advanced tools, followed by timely treatment and comprehensive supportive care, provides patients with the best opportunity to preserve independence and maintain a better quality of life,” he added.
Medical experts also point out that many of the risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease overlap with those linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease. Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and untreated sleep disorders are known to increase the risk of developing dementia. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling chronic illnesses, and remaining physically and mentally active can significantly reduce the risk.
Experts stress that although Alzheimer’s disease currently has no cure, early diagnosis allows patients and their families to plan treatment, organise support systems, and access therapies that may help slow disease progression.
As Goa’s elderly population continues to grow, neurologists emphasise that increasing awareness, encouraging early neurological evaluation for memory-related symptoms, and ensuring compassionate, multidisciplinary care will be critical in addressing the growing burden of Alzheimer’s disease in the years ahead.
