Early-Onset Alzheimer’s is quietly creeping into the lives of people as young as their 40s, often misdiagnosed or dismissed. Now, with poignant real-life stories and cinematic representations like the upcoming film Saiyaara, the condition is gaining long-overdue visibility. In this deeply reported feature, The Pioneer explores the lived experiences of those affected, expert insights, and the cultural shift needed to address a disease that’s no longer just about old age.
Highlighted quote: The effect of early-onset Alzheimer’s is far beyond the patient’s brain. It strikes people in the prime of their lives. They lose employment, face relationship breakdowns, and are burdened with a future they never imagined. Employers often struggle to support them, and families are forced into caregiving roles overnight.
Tejal Sinha
In the blockbuster film Saiyaara, the character of Vani Batra, portrayed with quiet strength by actress Anee Padda, left audiences teary-eyed — not just for her romance, but for the haunting reality she lives through. Vani is shown battling a health condition that many viewers might not fully understand at first: early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD). Her habit of writing in a diary, forgetting key moments — including her lover — and the emotional climax rooted in her vanishing memory are not just cinematic devices. They reflect a very real, often misdiagnosed, and life-altering condition.
But this isn’t about Saiyaara. It’s about a disease that strikes silently and often too early — disrupting not just memory, but careers, families, identities, and futures. Here’s a deeper look into Early-Onset Alzheimer’s, what causes it, why it’s so devastating, and how we can navigate it better.
Unlike typical Alzheimer’s, which is associated with the elderly, EOAD strikes before the age of 65, sometimes even as early as one’s 30s or 40s. The emotional turmoil, loss of identity, and disruption of entire families that Saiyaara touches upon are deeply rooted in the lived experiences of EOAD patients across the world.
While Alzheimer’s in itself is misunderstood, EOAD is often invisible—misdiagnosed, misrepresented, and chronically under-discussed. But as real cases mount in neurologists’ clinics, it’s time to move beyond fiction and face a disturbing reality.
Understanding EOAD
According to Dr. Animesh Gupta, Senior Consultant – Neurology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur, most people don’t realise how genetically loaded EOAD can be.
“It is very rare to find a case of dementia with a positive family history, so you can understand how rare it is. Fluctuations in genes like APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2 are considered directly responsible for many familial EOAD cases. If an individual inherits one of these mutations, they have a 50% chance of developing the disease before age 60,”says Dr. Gupta.
While these gene mutations are uncommon, they drastically increase the risk. More frequently, EOAD occurs in sporadic forms, which means the exact cause is unclear. In such cases, contributing factors could include head trauma, chronic stress, cardiovascular issues, or even environmental triggers.
Despite its rarity, EOAD’s impact is disproportionately high—both in terms of emotional burden and economic cost—because it strikes when individuals are typically at the peak of their personal and professional lives.
The Long Road to Diagnosis
The most tragic irony of EOAD is that its symptoms—like forgetfulness, confusion, mood swings—often mimic more common psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression. As a result, patients are frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed in the early stages. “Diagnosing early-onset Alzheimer’s is complicated,” says Dr. Rajul Aggarwal, Director – Neurology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi. “Many patients are initially treated for depression, anxiety, or attention disorders before dementia is even considered. Diagnosis delays can span 1.5 to 3 years, wasting critical time for intervention.”
Testing for EOAD involves neuropsychological assessments, MRI or PET scans, and often cerebrospinal fluid analysis—all of which are costly and not readily accessible to the average Indian family. The result is a silent spiral where symptoms worsen and support arrives far too late.
Ripple Effects
EOAD doesn’t just affect memory—it shakes the very foundations of a person’s identity, relationships, and purpose. At a time when people are building careers, raising children, and planning for the future, the diagnosis derails everything. “The effect of early-onset Alzheimer’s is far beyond the patient’s brain,” explains Dr. Srinivas M, Consultant Neurologist, SPARSH Hospital, Bangalore. “It strikes people in the prime of their lives. They lose employment, face relationship breakdowns, and are burdened with a future they never imagined. Employers often struggle to support them, and families are forced into caregiving roles overnight.”
The caregiving burden, often shouldered by spouses or adult children, comes with emotional fatigue, loss of income, and immense social isolation. Children of EOAD patients are often forced into maturity too soon, and the psychological scars of watching a parent fade away slowly are difficult to measure.
Symptoms Aren’t Always What You Expect
Unlike classic Alzheimer’s, where memory loss is the predominant symptom, EOAD often manifests in unexpected ways—language difficulties, disorientation, poor decision-making, and even personality changes. “Though EOAD accounts for only 5–10% of all Alzheimer’s cases, its impact is disproportionate,” warns Dr. Rajul Aggarwal. “Symptoms go beyond memory loss. Younger patients might retain memory but struggle with planning, disorientation, and mood changes. EOAD is frequently misattributed to stress or mental health issues, delaying support and worsening prognosis.”
Because the outward signs aren’t always obvious, many people live with undiagnosed EOAD for years, silently battling a condition they don’t even know they have.
Treatment, Lifestyle Support, and What Lies Ahead
While there’s no definitive cure, some medications like donepezil, rivastigmine, and memantine can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Experimental treatments like aducanumab and lecanemab are generating interest globally, but their accessibility and effectiveness in India remain limited. “Cognitive behavioral therapy, physical activity, music therapy, structured routines, and Mediterranean diets can support brain health,” advises Dr. Aggarwal. “Lifestyle changes like better sleep and mindfulness practices may delay progression or improve coping capacity.”
Equally important is the social and emotional ecosystem—building better support networks, raising awareness, and removing the stigma around EOAD. Support groups, technology aids, and caregiver resources are vital to help patients maintain their dignity and independence for as long as possible.
Films like Saiyaara do more than tell stories—they open a window into realities that often go unnoticed. Aneet Padda’s poignant portrayal of Vani Batra brings emotional weight to a medical issue that too often exists in the shadows.
By shedding light on EOAD through cinema, storytelling can help shift public perception and prompt urgent conversations. Because for many families, EOAD isn’t a plotline—it’s a life-altering journey with no pause or rewind.
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s may still be statistically rare, but its consequences are monumental. The longer we misunderstand or overlook it, the more lives it will quietly upend.
Awareness is the first step toward empathy. Empathy is the first step toward change.
