Alzheimer’s may have early warning signs outside the brain

Date: November 9, 2026 Source: University of Central Florida Summary: A surprising discovery suggests that some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may begin outside the brain. Using miniature laboratory systems made from human cells, scientists found that genetic mutations associated with inherited Alzheimer’s can disrupt nerve-to-muscle connections without any involvement from the brain or spinal cord. This could help explain why some patients experience changes in balance, walking, and coordination long before memory problems develop. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Scientists have uncovered evidence that some of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s may originate outside the brain, potentially transforming how the disease is detected and treated. Credit: Shutterstock Alzheimer's disease is best known for its effects on memory and thinking, but new research suggests that some symptoms may develop in a surprising place: outside the brain. Scientists at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have discovered that genetic mutations associated with Alzheimer's can interfere with the nerves that control muscle movement, even without involvement from the brain or spinal cord. The findings could help explain why some people with Alzheimer's experience changes in walking, balance, or coordination long before noticeable memory problems emerge. The discovery raises the possibility that movement difficulties could provide earlier warning signs of the disease and that treatments focused exclusively on the brain may overlook important problems elsewhere in the body. The research was led , a professor at UCF's Nanoscience Technology Center, and Research Professor Xiufang "Nadine" Guo, working alongside scientists at the healthcare technology company Hesperos. Funded 's National Institute on Aging, the study used laboratory systems built from human cells to investigate how inherited Alzheimer's mutations affect movement. The findings were published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. "Motor deficits may be an earlier indication [of Alzheimer's]," Guo says. "If we can detect those changes and intervene earlier, that could help delay the onset of central nervous system symptoms." Why Alzheimer's Symptoms May Appear Before Memory Loss Alzheimer's is generally associated with progressive memory loss, confusion, and declining cognitive abilities. However, doctors have also observed that some patients develop physical symptoms, including changes in balance, coordination, and gait (manner of walking), years before clear cognitive difficulties become apparent. These observations have raised an important question: Are such movement problems simply a consequence of damage occurring in the brain, or could Alzheimer's also interfere directly with nerves elsewhere in the body?