Possible early onset of Alzheimer's disease

Dear Ask The Doctor: Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, lately my mother has been experiencing an increased forgetfulness of memory since her recent struggles with high andlow levels of diabetes. If I tell her to think for a minute she seems to remember. She was taking memory medicine at the time but it caused severe stomach problems and bad dreams but memory was good. After the doctor took her off the medicine, insulin levels are great and she sleeps well but her memory appears worse. A CAT and MRI have shown nothing. It is scaring me. She is 86 years old. Could it be the medicine or onset of Alzheimers? Thanks!

Dear Janice: Most people over 65 experience some level of forgetfulness. It is normal for age-related brain shrinkage to produce changes in processing, attention and short term memory. Some of the early signs of alzheimer’s disease include placing routine items like keys, wallet etc. in odd places such as in the fridge or in the dishwasher, forget entire conversations, forget names of family members and loved ones, dress regardless of weather as short skirts in winter etc. Hope this helps.