Tyl has interestingly put forward that perhaps the brain can't be localized to a single factor, but is instead indicated by the gestalt of the chart in its entirety. This is because of its strong relationship to the function of our entire being, both in a physical and in a social sense.
I think he is on to something in principle, although it needs some refining to be workable (which, credit where it's due, he does put into practice). With the caveat that I have not looked closely at this particular question, myself, I would consider the functions of interest and investigate how they show up in the chart. For a disease process that so profoundly affects the memory, personality, and emotions, I would look foremost at the condition of the Moon, and also look for affirmation from especially Mercury and the ASC/1st, 3rd, and 12th. Challenging aspects to the above from esp. Saturn and Neptune would be suspected, but to my mind, those in themselves would not necessarily be red flags: the challenges those represent could on balance just as well be invigorating, depending on the person.
So sorry for your friend, Elsa. I hope the diagnosis comes out as negative.
While losing your entire memory base is devastating for both you and friends/family, our everyday memories are not reliable as well. I was super nostalgic last night and this morning, and wondered why we only remember the good times highlight reel of our life... I wondered if there are any markers of fuzzy memories, in general?
I would imagine Neptune aspects natally or by transit in 3rd or 4th? Also, condition of the moon (Cancer/4th house moons remember EVERYTHING).
As a bonus, here is a terrifying TedTalk about how unreliable and susceptible to suggestion, our memories really are...
My mother passed from dementia a few years ago. We think her cognitive decline may have actually begun decades before her diagnosis, although she had multiple mental health issues which make it difficult to separate which cognitive and behavioural problems can be assigned to dementia, and which to her other problems. She has a particularly challenging chart, but those aspects which might indicate dementia are (using Placidus):
Pisces 12th H Jupiter conjunct Mercury, square Mars in 3rd H Gemini, and Saturn in 8th H Sag.
Pluto in 4th H Cancer, Square 7th H Libra Moon
Pluto loosely conjunct the IC
North Node at 2 degrees 4th H Cancer, conjunct the IC
1st H Venus in Aries, conjunct Chiron at 29 Taurus - opposite 7th H Libra Moon, trine Neptune in 5th H Leo
3rd H Gemini Mars opposite 8th H Saturn in Sag.
Uranus at 29 Pisces, in the 12th H
Black Moon Lilith in 6th H Libra, at 1 degree.
Her dementia was one of the most violent I have ever heard of. She suffered vivid and extreme hallucinations and became paranoid and very violent. My brother who cared for her in her last days thought she was possessed. I don't know if they ever fully diagnosed what was wrong with her, but it seemed like Lewy Body Dementia, except without most of the physical characteristics. I pray for her soul nightly.
That is tough.
I still have not met with my friend, yet. I am pretty anxious. She said she would go into detail. I'm just going to listen.
Just heard a part of this interview on the radio and found a new book to read: "On Vanishing" by Lynn Casteel Harper...
There's actually a fair amount you can do to prevent dementia. For anyone interested, google Dr. David Perimutter, neurologist. I just got finished watching a 10 part series actually.
To update the situation with my friend, she's not yet been formally diagnosed but she's headed that way. Unfortunately, I can see signs of the problem.
I haven't yet been able to assimilate this but I was discussing it with another friend (in general terms).
She mentioned we're about to be hit with a tidal wave of this... aging baby-boomers.
They have Pluto in Leo. Saturn in Aquarius, opposing?
My second friend said the neurologists must be clicking boxes, "And here's another one..."
It's pretty clear to me, I am going to be a caregiver. This is related:
https://elsaelsa.com/astrology/who-becomes-a-caregiver/