Very common. I suspect the association with early onset may have more to do with the contrast being more emphatic in younger people than with the prevelance of the symptom. The essential requirements for empathy are paying attention, noting and responding to the unspoken. The illness commonly slows down processing of visual and aural input rendering our loved ones incapable of keeping up with content let alone nuance. The normally shared responsibility for empathising transfers, often early in the progress of the disease, to be the sole burden of the caregiver. I’m sure Jackie might wish I had understood this 10 years ago.

Yes. My friend is a former pastor who would be devastated to know that he acts out of a complete lack of empathy. It is not out of not caring. I think empathy is a complex emotional response that is just too complicated

Absolutely! My husband was one of the kindest, most considerate people I had ever met. He also is older....76...and has very little empathy at all. It hurts so much and I do know it's the disease, but that doesn't make it any easier to handle. Sorry about your mom....I know what you are dealing with.

My dad is like this. One time he is happy nice and next he is nasty swearing and very negative. We just try to talk positive and if he gets too nasty in front of the kids we end the call or if he is here at the house we take him home.

I notice this in my husband. His empathy is disappearing. He is becoming very negative too. I’m assuming that is part of the disease also. It is frustrating.