Our brain often sends subtle signals that something isn’t right—physically, emotionally, or cognitively. Ignoring these early signs can lead to depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. These can be a signal of onset of some neurological disorder. Many neurodegenerative disorders begin with a presentation similar to depression, mild confusion or just cognitive slowing. That slowed processing speed of information. Reduced creativity, impaired decision making. For example, slowed speed of walking can be a presentation of Parkinson’s disease, though there are so many other causes for this. If someone stops walking while talking, it could mean difficulty in multitasking and suggests cognitive decline.Poor sleep and non-refreshing sleep are both risk factors for poor memory, low mood, reduced neuroimmune function. Hence one has to be alert in cases of sleep disorders. Treatment of sleep disorders can reduce risk of age-related neurodegenerative disorders.Identifying one’s emotional state is important. Anxiety, depression contribute to poor brain health, one has to be watchful of these symptoms. Late life depression could signal neuropsychiatric disorder.Treating depression may slow progression of diseases of the nervous system and improve outcomes
- Memory loss – especially short-term or recent memory (forgetting names, appointments)
- Difficulty with planning or problem-solving
- Trouble concentrating or paying attention
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Struggling to find words or follow conversations (anomia, aphasia)
- Could signal onset of dementia if these are progressive
- lack of motivation, social withdrawal, Irritability, mood swings, or inappropriate emotional reactions, Loss of empathy – dementia
- Tremors or rigidity (early in Parkinson’s), Slowed movements (bradykinesia), Balance problems, frequent falls, small handwriting (micrographia) in Parkinson’s disease
- Repeating stories or questions – memory issues, Inability to follow sequences (e.g., cooking, budgeting) – impaired planning and execution
- Impaired judgment or risk-taking – Frontal lobe problems and disorder of higher mental function. Poor insight into changes – frontal lobe degeneration
These could be early signs of brain degeneration and should not be ignored
- Focal muscle weakness (e.g., hand grip, foot drop), Muscle atrophy – visible thinning of small muscles of hand or legs, Fasciculations – visible muscle twitching (especially in arms, shoulders, tongue), Cramps – painful, frequent, and unexplained muscle pain, starts in one limb and spreads gradually — These could be due to motor neuron disease
- Slurred or nasal speech (dysarthria), Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) – choking on liquids, Tongue fasciculations/twitching or thinning, Emotional lability – could mean onset of motor neuron disease in cranial structures
- Cerebellar ataxia refers to impaired coordination due to dysfunction of the cerebellum or its pathways. It can be caused by various conditions, including genetic disorders, strokes, tumors, alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, and neurodegenerative ataxias. Early signs could be subtle, intermittent or only in specific situations
- Unsteady gait – wide-based, staggering, or lurching (drunken appearance), Frequent tripping or falling, Difficulty walking in a straight line (positive tandem gait test), could be seen in cerebellar degeneration which affects coordination
You may be already at risk for stroke if you are over 55 years, have diabetes, hypertension raised cholesterol, have history of smoking or tobacco use, if there is family history of stroke or heart disease.in these circumstances obesity high body mass index sedentary lifestyle and no exercise put you at a further risk of getting a stroke.So, watch for the early symptoms — FAST Symptoms, face deviation, arm weakness, speech disturbance and if so time is the most important thing in getting prompt treatment.Balance problems and eye movement disturbance of double vision could be also seen in cases of strokeSo, report to emergency room in case of these symptomsDr. Rahul Chakor, Consultant, Neurologist, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre