Early detection of neurological disorders can significantly alter the trajectory of a person’s health, preserving function and quality of life. Yet, the subtlety with which conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dementia, stroke, and epilepsy manifest often leads to delayed diagnosis. In a recent Instagram reel, interventional neurologist Dr Kunal Sood highlighted several early warning signs that are frequently ignored: tremors, memory lapses, sleep disturbances, and loss of coordination, among them. His message underscores a growing consensus in neuroscience: that small, seemingly benign neurological changes can offer crucial windows of intervention long before irreversible brain damage occurs. Backed by contemporary research, this perspective reflects a major shift in how modern medicine approaches neurological health, through prevention and early awareness rather than late-stage treatment.
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Recognising the early signs of neurological disorders: First step in diagnosis
Subtle tremors and fine motor changes: Distinguishing early Parkinsonism
One of the most common early neurological signs discussed in Dr. Sood’s reel is hand tremor. Differentiating essential tremor (ET) from Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains a key clinical challenge. While both disorders involve involuntary shaking, their underlying mechanisms differ. ET typically presents with action-induced tremors, occurring during voluntary movement, while PD tremors often emerge at rest.
Video
It was found that nearly 20% of individuals initially diagnosed with essential tremor later develop Parkinson’s-like symptoms, suggesting an overlapping neurodegenerative pathway. Neuroimaging studies using dopamine transporter (DaT) scans have helped improve diagnostic accuracy, yet the earliest indicators still depend largely on clinical observation. Researchers emphasise that early referral to a neurologist upon noticing tremors, slowness of movement, or reduced arm swing can enable timely initiation of dopaminergic therapy and lifestyle interventions that may slow functional decline.
These findings align closely with Dr. Sood’s public reminder that tremor, often dismissed as fatigue or anxiety, can, in some cases, be the nervous system’s first signal of neurochemical imbalance.
Memory lapses and confusion: The earliest indicators of dementia
Dr. Sood also mentions forgetfulness and confusion as key red flags. Data from the NHS indicate that mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transitional phase between normal ageing and dementia, affects nearly one in seven adults over 60. However, symptoms such as repeatedly misplacing objects or struggling with familiar words often go unreported until they interfere with daily life.
A longitudinal study in The Journal of Clinical Medicine examined how subtle cognitive symptoms correlate with structural brain changes years before dementia diagnosis. Researchers found that early-stage hippocampal shrinkage, detected through MRI, was already present in individuals experiencing subjective memory decline. When such patients were monitored over time, those with both cognitive symptoms and measurable hippocampal changes had a threefold higher risk of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease.
This reinforces Dr. Sood’s central message: forgetfulness should not be automatically attributed to stress or age. Early neurocognitive assessment can provide not only diagnostic clarity but also access to intervention strategies such as cognitive training, lifestyle modification, and medication trials that may delay disease progression.
Stroke and transient episodes: when the body’s warnings are brief but urgent
Among the conditions featured in Dr. Sood’s reel, stroke represents one where early recognition can make the most immediate difference between full recovery and permanent disability. Stroke symptoms, sudden weakness, facial drooping, or speech difficulty, may occur transiently as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), sometimes lasting only minutes. The NHS identifies TIAs as precursors to major strokes, with approximately one in three people experiencing a full stroke within a year if left untreated.
Recent findings published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience highlight how new imaging modalities and biomarker-based risk assessment allow clinicians to predict which TIA patients are most likely to develop ischemic strokes. The review emphasises the importance of early hospital evaluation even if symptoms subside quickly, as immediate initiation of antiplatelet therapy and vascular imaging can reduce the risk of subsequent major stroke by up to 80%.
Dr. Sood’s inclusion of these signs in his video helps extend this life-saving message beyond clinical settings to the general public, especially vital in regions where stroke awareness remains limited and patients often arrive at hospitals outside the crucial treatment window.
Epilepsy and unrecognised neurological activity
Epilepsy, another disorder highlighted by Dr. Sood, often carries social stigma and misunderstanding that contribute to delayed diagnosis. Seizures do not always manifest as dramatic convulsions; they can appear as brief lapses in awareness, repetitive movements, or even subtle behavioural changes. An analysis in The Journal of Clinical Medicine on early-onset epilepsy found that over 40% of adult patients reported minor, unrecognised episodes months before experiencing their first major seizure.
The study also identified key early neurophysiological markers, like abnormal spikes in brain electrical activity measurable through EEG, that preceded visible symptoms. Recognising and reporting such subtle experiences can allow clinicians to intervene earlier, reducing the risk of injuries, improving medication response, and enhancing long-term neurological outcomes.
In Dr. Sood’s reel, he draws attention to “blank stares” or “zoning out” moments, behaviours often overlooked as distractions but sometimes representing absence seizures. His approach underscores how public communication from medical professionals can demystify these signs and encourage timely neurological evaluation.
Why public awareness of early neurological signs matters
Across these disorders, Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke, and epilepsy, a consistent theme emerges: early identification leads to better outcomes. The human brain’s capacity for plasticity and compensation diminishes with time; intervening during the initial phase allows clinicians to preserve neuronal function and slow disease progression.
Public health researchers increasingly advocate for neuropreventive literacy, a concept promoting early recognition of brain health changes akin to the way people monitor blood pressure or glucose. Social media outreach, as exemplified by Dr. Sood’s educational reel, plays an important role in bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and public understanding. By presenting science-based information in accessible formats, such initiatives encourage individuals to view tremors, confusion, or minor seizures not as isolated events but as potential neurological clues deserving professional attention.
Ultimately, early neurological awareness is not about inducing fear but empowering individuals to seek evaluation sooner. The convergence of modern neuroimaging, cognitive assessment, and public education offers a new paradigm for brain health, one where prevention and vigilance can preserve function long before disease takes hold.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.
Also Read | If your urine looks foamy, don’t ignore it! This could be your body’s first waning sign for kidney damage
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQW92AYj_xM/
ID@undefined Caption not available.
Recognising the early signs of neurological disorders: First step in diagnosis
Subtle tremors and fine motor changes: Distinguishing early Parkinsonism
One of the most common early neurological signs discussed in Dr. Sood’s reel is hand tremor. Differentiating essential tremor (ET) from Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains a key clinical challenge. While both disorders involve involuntary shaking, their underlying mechanisms differ. ET typically presents with action-induced tremors, occurring during voluntary movement, while PD tremors often emerge at rest.
Video
It was found that nearly 20% of individuals initially diagnosed with essential tremor later develop Parkinson’s-like symptoms, suggesting an overlapping neurodegenerative pathway. Neuroimaging studies using dopamine transporter (DaT) scans have helped improve diagnostic accuracy, yet the earliest indicators still depend largely on clinical observation. Researchers emphasise that early referral to a neurologist upon noticing tremors, slowness of movement, or reduced arm swing can enable timely initiation of dopaminergic therapy and lifestyle interventions that may slow functional decline.
These findings align closely with Dr. Sood’s public reminder that tremor, often dismissed as fatigue or anxiety, can, in some cases, be the nervous system’s first signal of neurochemical imbalance.
Memory lapses and confusion: The earliest indicators of dementia
Dr. Sood also mentions forgetfulness and confusion as key red flags. Data from the NHS indicate that mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transitional phase between normal ageing and dementia, affects nearly one in seven adults over 60. However, symptoms such as repeatedly misplacing objects or struggling with familiar words often go unreported until they interfere with daily life.
A longitudinal study in The Journal of Clinical Medicine examined how subtle cognitive symptoms correlate with structural brain changes years before dementia diagnosis. Researchers found that early-stage hippocampal shrinkage, detected through MRI, was already present in individuals experiencing subjective memory decline. When such patients were monitored over time, those with both cognitive symptoms and measurable hippocampal changes had a threefold higher risk of progressing to Alzheimer’s disease.
This reinforces Dr. Sood’s central message: forgetfulness should not be automatically attributed to stress or age. Early neurocognitive assessment can provide not only diagnostic clarity but also access to intervention strategies such as cognitive training, lifestyle modification, and medication trials that may delay disease progression.
Stroke and transient episodes: when the body’s warnings are brief but urgent
Among the conditions featured in Dr. Sood’s reel, stroke represents one where early recognition can make the most immediate difference between full recovery and permanent disability. Stroke symptoms, sudden weakness, facial drooping, or speech difficulty, may occur transiently as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), sometimes lasting only minutes. The NHS identifies TIAs as precursors to major strokes, with approximately one in three people experiencing a full stroke within a year if left untreated.
Recent findings published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience highlight how new imaging modalities and biomarker-based risk assessment allow clinicians to predict which TIA patients are most likely to develop ischemic strokes. The review emphasises the importance of early hospital evaluation even if symptoms subside quickly, as immediate initiation of antiplatelet therapy and vascular imaging can reduce the risk of subsequent major stroke by up to 80%.
Dr. Sood’s inclusion of these signs in his video helps extend this life-saving message beyond clinical settings to the general public, especially vital in regions where stroke awareness remains limited and patients often arrive at hospitals outside the crucial treatment window.
Epilepsy and unrecognised neurological activity
Epilepsy, another disorder highlighted by Dr. Sood, often carries social stigma and misunderstanding that contribute to delayed diagnosis. Seizures do not always manifest as dramatic convulsions; they can appear as brief lapses in awareness, repetitive movements, or even subtle behavioural changes. An analysis in The Journal of Clinical Medicine on early-onset epilepsy found that over 40% of adult patients reported minor, unrecognised episodes months before experiencing their first major seizure.
The study also identified key early neurophysiological markers, like abnormal spikes in brain electrical activity measurable through EEG, that preceded visible symptoms. Recognising and reporting such subtle experiences can allow clinicians to intervene earlier, reducing the risk of injuries, improving medication response, and enhancing long-term neurological outcomes.
In Dr. Sood’s reel, he draws attention to “blank stares” or “zoning out” moments, behaviours often overlooked as distractions but sometimes representing absence seizures. His approach underscores how public communication from medical professionals can demystify these signs and encourage timely neurological evaluation.
Why public awareness of early neurological signs matters
Across these disorders, Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke, and epilepsy, a consistent theme emerges: early identification leads to better outcomes. The human brain’s capacity for plasticity and compensation diminishes with time; intervening during the initial phase allows clinicians to preserve neuronal function and slow disease progression.
Public health researchers increasingly advocate for neuropreventive literacy, a concept promoting early recognition of brain health changes akin to the way people monitor blood pressure or glucose. Social media outreach, as exemplified by Dr. Sood’s educational reel, plays an important role in bridging the gap between clinical knowledge and public understanding. By presenting science-based information in accessible formats, such initiatives encourage individuals to view tremors, confusion, or minor seizures not as isolated events but as potential neurological clues deserving professional attention.
Ultimately, early neurological awareness is not about inducing fear but empowering individuals to seek evaluation sooner. The convergence of modern neuroimaging, cognitive assessment, and public education offers a new paradigm for brain health, one where prevention and vigilance can preserve function long before disease takes hold.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.
Also Read | If your urine looks foamy, don’t ignore it! This could be your body’s first waning sign for kidney damage
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