Rising Threat: Early Signs of Alzheimer’s in Childhood by Dr. Kristina Bosnar
For decades, we’ve thought of Alzheimer’s as a disease of old age—an inevitable, irreversible decline in brain function. But what I’m seeing in my clinical practice, and what is now backed by emerging research, is deeply concerning: signs of cognitive impairment are appearing earlier than ever, even in children and young adults. These are not isolated cases—these early signs of Alzheimer’s are part of a growing, global trend.
I’ve spent over 25 years working with families, children, and individuals of all ages. Certified in functional medicine and trained with leading figures like Dr. Dale Bredesen—who has shown reversal of early Alzheimer’s in patients—and Dr. Terry Wahls—known for her groundbreaking work on neurodegenerative disease and diet—I’ve come to see these conditions in a new light.
What We’re Seeing in the Young
In children and adolescents, cognitive symptoms often present as ADHD, anxiety, behavioural issues, depression, and mood instability. These conditions, previously seen as purely psychological or behavioural, are now understood as part of a broader picture of neuroinflammation—what I refer to as “brains on fire.”
Neuroimaging backs this up. MRI studies of children with ADHD show volumetric reductions in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum—areas responsible for attention, memory, and emotional regulation. Similar brain atrophy is found in patients with anxiety, depression, and eventually Alzheimer’s. One 16-year study even found reduced brain volume persisting into adulthood in teens diagnosed with ADHD.
What’s more, 1 in 7 teenagers globally experience mental health disorders, and nearly 32% of adolescents are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Suicide is now the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds worldwide. These aren’t just mental health stats—they’re warning signs of systemic, long-term brain stress.
Decades in the Making
Alzheimer’s doesn’t begin when someone forgets a name or misplaces their keys. The early signs of Alzheimer’s appear decades earlier. Research shows it takes 20 years of symptoms—subtle changes like brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, or lack of focus—before someone is officially diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, the precursor to dementia.
So what we’re seeing in children today isn’t the beginning of a mental health epidemic—it’s the early stage of a cognitive health crisis.
Common Root Causes
Despite the range of symptoms, many of these conditions share a root cause: neuroinflammation. This is the brain’s immune response to stressors—both internal and environmental. And our modern world is filled with those stressors:
Poor nutrition and excess sugar, leading to insulin resistance and “type 3 diabetes,” a term now used for Alzheimer’s caused by sugar toxicity.
Leaky gut and poor microbiome health, where bacterial toxins cross into the bloodstream and inflame the brain.
Environmental toxins, including pesticides, heavy metals, mold, plastics, and persistent organic pollutants.
Screen overexposure, particularly in young, developing brains, linked to digital dementia.
Sleep disruption and light pollution, which alter melatonin production and circadian rhythms critical for brain repair.
Hormone imbalance, especially the decline in testosterone and estrogen in both teens and adults due to xenoestrogens and poor dietary fat intake.
Chronic stress and emotional isolation, which are now known to directly contribute to neurodegeneration.
Reversing the Trend: The Bosnar NeuroGuards
Thankfully, the same protocols used to halt or reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms in aging patients can help prevent or mitigate these early cognitive signs in youth. My five NeuroGuards—developed from years of clinical application and functional medicine principles—can be adopted at any age.
Nature and Movement: Daily physical activity and exposure to nature reduce inflammation and support brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key molecule in brain regeneration. Walking barefoot, forest bathing, and sun exposure help regulate hormones and calm the nervous system.
Nutrition: A whole-food, low-sugar diet high in healthy fats, fiber, and phytonutrients supports gut-brain health. Avoiding processed foods, artificial additives, and seed oils is critical. Healthy fats (like avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and wild-caught fish) are essential for hormone production and cognitive function.
Protection from Modern Living: Reducing exposure to EMFs (turning off Wi-Fi at night, using airplane mode), filtering water, using clean personal care products, and detoxifying from mold and pollutants can drastically lower the toxic burden on the brain.
Restorative Sleep and Emotional Health: Sleep is when the brain detoxifies. Poor sleep increases beta-amyloid accumulation, a key marker in Alzheimer’s. Supporting circadian rhythms with red light at night, limiting screen time before bed, and managing stress through meditation and breathing exercises makes a huge difference.
Relationships and Intimacy: Social isolation is a risk factor for cognitive decline. Building meaningful relationships, expressing emotions, and staying engaged in community is protective. Even a five-minute conversation with a loved one has measurable impact on mood and cognition.
The Time for Action is Now
One in five children has a diagnosed mental health condition or learning disorder. Most go untreated or are treated only with medication. These numbers are rising fast, and our current healthcare system isn’t built to address the root causes. It’s time we take control with practical, science-backed strategies to protect our children’s brain health—before symptoms become permanent damage.
Through personalized testing, like the CNS Vital Signs cognitive assessment we offer at the Bosnar Health Clinic, we can detect changes early—before they escalate—and tailor interventions accordingly.
The message is clear: Alzheimer’s is no longer just a disease of the elderly. The warning signs are starting early, but so are the opportunities for prevention and even reversal. The tools are here. The science supports it. The decision to act is ours.
