A mother who believed her exhaustion and forgetfulness were simply part of raising a toddler received a devastating diagnosis: early-onset Alzheimer's at just 46 years old.
Staci Marklin, a former hospice nurse from Knoxville, Tennessee, initially attributed her slight memory loss to her pregnancy and the so-called 'mum brain' that can follow childbirth. However, as her son Gunnar grew, her symptoms intensified, leading to a life-altering discovery about her health.
From 'Mum Brain' to a Shocking Diagnosis
Ms Marklin's journey to diagnosis was fraught with uncertainty. She began experiencing difficulties with her speech, such as saying 'move the carpet' when she meant 'move the curtain'. Despite a family history of dementia—her grandmother had Alzheimer's—her doctor initially reassured her that the disease would be rare at her age.
Yet, nearly two years after Gunnar's birth, her condition worsened significantly. 'I forget my son's birthday frequently,' she revealed. 'I find anything that is mildly new to me is easy to forget. As soon as someone asks me something I don't know, there's this intense fear.'
Her professional life as a nurse was also impacted. She recounted instances where critical information would vanish from her mind, including failing to recognise the name of a colleague she had worked with closely.
Navigating Life After the Alzheimer's Diagnosis
After a series of tests, including an amyloid PET scan, Ms Marklin was officially diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in October 2024. Her cognitive function level was in the bottom 0 to 10 percent for her age group. 'I saw the result and knew what it meant,' she said. 'I was with my husband at the time and we were in shock. We cried together and knew nothing would ever be the same again.'
She now faces the stigma associated with a disease often perceived as affecting only the elderly. Many people struggle to believe her diagnosis, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to her daily life.
Looking ahead, Ms Marklin is proactively planning for the future. She creates TikTok videos for her son, husband Erik, and step-daughter Rylee to remember her by. She has also begun a new treatment, lecanemab (sold as Leqembi), which involves twice-monthly intravenous infusions designed to remove harmful amyloid plaques from the brain.
The Wider Context of Dementia in the UK
Ms Marklin's story highlights a critical health issue. Dementia is Britain's biggest killer, with approximately 944,000 people in the UK living with the condition. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form, affecting around six in ten people diagnosed.
While often associated with older age, around one in every 13 people with Alzheimer's are under 65. Memory loss is not the only warning sign; behavioural changes such as increased irritability, altered eating habits, and in younger people, heavy drinking, can also ring alarm bells.
The number of dementia patients in the UK is forecast to rise by 42 percent by 2040. Although Ms Marklin's treatment is available privately in the UK, it is not currently offered on the NHS.
Despite the challenges, Staci Marklin focuses on remaining positive, cherishing the time with her family and creating precious memories for her young son.
