stage: 1

What goes first in dementia — and what stays intact far longer than people expect

Short-term memory is typically the first faculty to decline in the most common form of dementia, which is Alzheimer's disease. People begin forgetting recent conversations, appointments, and where they have placed items, while memories from decades ago often remain vivid and intact. This happens because Alzheimer's affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming new memories, first. Alongside short-term memory, word-finding difficulties often emerge early, causing people to pause mid-sentence or substitute the wrong word. The ability to manage complex tasks such as finances or organising travel may also deteriorate early. Emotional memory tends to be preserved for much longer, even into advanced stages.