According to the latest data from NHS England, over 500,000 people in England have received a formal diagnosis of dementia. Specifically, 510,165 patients had a recorded diagnosis as of January 31, 2026, marking a slight decrease of 2,301 patients from the previous month. While dementia is most commonly associated with older individuals, young-onset dementia is increasingly being recognized in Britain.

Young-onset dementia refers to cases where symptoms manifest in someone under the age of 65. On January 31, 2026, 34,524 individuals, or 6.8 percent of all diagnosed cases, had received their diagnosis before turning 65. However, experts believe the actual number of people living with dementia, across all ages, is significantly higher because symptoms are often dismissed as typical signs of aging or attributed to other conditions. Younger individuals, in particular, are often unaware of the unique warning signs of dementia, which can differ from the more commonly known symptom of memory loss seen in older patients.

Molly Murray, an expert in young-onset dementia from the University of West Scotland, highlights that for many patients, the initial indication of the condition is a problem with their eyes. Research indicates that approximately one-third of individuals with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, first experience symptoms related to coordination and changes in vision. These issues can present as difficulties with reading or coordinating movements, such as getting dressed. Crucially, this occurs without any physical deterioration in eyesight; the problem lies in how the brain processes visual information. Another significant sign of young-onset dementia is language problems, including struggling to use correct words in sentences or taking lengthy pauses during speech. Patients may also exhibit unusual personality changes, such as a loss of social filter, causing them to appear rude or insensitive. While these signs can also affect older dementia patients, they are considerably rarer, occurring in only about one in 20 cases. Ms. Murray notes that such changes are more frequently observed in rarer forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), although a smaller fraction of overall dementia cases, is considerably more common among younger patients, accounting for about two in five young dementia diagnoses. The earliest signs of FTD often involve changes in language and behavior, due to the specific brain regions it affects. Ms. Murray stresses the critical need for greater awareness of the diverse symptoms of young-onset dementia, not only among the public but also within the medical community. The misconception that dementia exclusively affects older adults often leaves those with young-onset dementia struggling to be heard, and the atypical symptoms associated with rarer dementias frequently go unnoticed, thereby prolonging the diagnostic process. A further challenge is that many potential symptoms of young-onset dementia can be confused with other conditions, such as menopause in women or periods of burnout.

An early diagnosis of dementia is vital at any age because, while the condition is incurable, treatments can effectively manage symptoms and, in some cases, slow its progression. Scientists are still investigating the precise drivers behind the increase in dementia cases but speculate that factors contributing to an uptick across all age groups, such as rising rates of obesity, poor diets, and increased awareness of the condition, may play a role. Several prominent figures have been affected by young-onset dementia, including ITV presenter Fiona Phillips, author Sir Terry Pratchett, and actor Robin Williams. Fiona Phillips, who presented GMTV, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2022 at the age of 62, experiencing symptoms like brain fog and anxiety prior to her diagnosis. With a family history of Alzheimer's, she had anticipated a diagnosis much later in life and suggested that the demanding early hours of her television career might have contributed to her early-onset condition.

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, emphasized that dementia can occur much earlier than commonly believed. She advocates for everyone living with dementia to receive an early and accurate diagnosis to facilitate access to care, support, treatment, future planning, and research participation. For young-onset dementia patients, tailored, age-appropriate support is crucial to meet their specific needs. Dyson calls for ambitious new diagnosis rate targets and long-term investment in the resources necessary for early and accurate diagnosis, seeing the Government’s Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia as an opportune moment to prioritize dementia amidst rapid advancements in diagnosis and treatment.

Dementia is an umbrella term encompassing various conditions that damage the brain, leading to interference with daily life. Different types of dementia may present with distinct symptoms, especially in their early stages, depending on the affected brain regions. There are over 100 known types. The most common types include:

• ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: Accounting for 60-80 percent of dementia cases, it involves the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits—amyloid plaques and tau tangles—that disrupt communication between nerve cells. Early symptoms typically include progressive memory loss and confusion regarding time and place.
• VASCULAR DEMENTIA: This type accounts for approximately 10-20 percent of cases and arises when blood flow to the brain is reduced, often following strokes or damage to small blood vessels. This deprivation of oxygen and nutrients leads to brain cell death. Damage to blood vessels also causes brain stress and inflammation, which are thought to trigger abnormal tau protein buildup. Symptoms vary but often include problems with planning or problem-solving and can sometimes appear abruptly.
• LEWY BODY DEMENTIA: Representing about 10 percent of cases, this type is characterized by protein deposits called Lewy bodies within the brain. Symptoms include visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognitive abilities, and movement problems reminiscent of Parkinson’s disease.
• FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA (FTD): Affecting 5-10 percent of dementia patients, typically those in their 50s and 60s, FTD primarily impacts personality, behavior, and language rather than memory in its initial stages, as it affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
• MIXED DEMENTIA: At least one in ten people with dementia have more than one type, most commonly a combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.