Symptom 7: Cognitive Impairments – The Mental Maze of Synucleinopathy
Next on our synucleinopathy symptom checklist is cognitive impairments. This refers to difficulties with cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, which can significantly impact an individual’s day-to-day life and overall quality of life.
Cognitive impairments in synucleinopathy often start subtly. You may notice minor forgetfulness, such as misplacing keys or forgetting an appointment. Concentration could become a bit of a struggle, and multitasking might seem more challenging than before. It’s like trying to navigate through a dense fog where things are not as clear as they used to be.
The root cause of these issues lies in the brain, specifically the disruption caused by the accumulation of α-synuclein proteins. By damaging the neurons, these proteins interfere with the brain’s smooth operation, like a glitch in a well-oiled machine, leading to a range of cognitive difficulties.(7)
