Downs Syndrome and Dementia

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer maintains that, as several research studies have indicated, there is a definite relation between Down's syndrome and dementia. The writer notes that dementia typically follows as a co morbid condition among adults with Down's syndrome and has a severely crippling effect on the patient. The writer points out that though some studies show the neurobiological pathways associated with the onset of dementia in DS patients, we are still a long way from a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved. The writer discusses that several researchers have focused on studying Down's syndrome and dementia as comorbid conditions and this has contributed to an improved understanding of these disorders and ineffective management of DS patients. The writer presents a brief review of existing literature on the association between these two comorbid conditions in order to provide a better understanding of the complications and the latest treatment modalities.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Downs Syndrome - Brain Structure
Genetic Factors For Dementia In DS
Cognitive Functioning and Dementia
Proactive Screening for Dementia
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Earlier studies among healthy population have revealed that many years of education have an effect of slowing down the onset of Alzheimer's. Therefore in this study the researchers compared DS patients exhibiting symptoms of dementia and those without such symptoms and correlated them with other factors such as levels of education, recreational activities, employment, etc. In all, 35 adult subjects in the age ranging between 26 and 67 years were included for the study. All the subjects were periodically observed over 3 years and assessed for their decline based on Neuropsychological tests, reports from caregivers, and the Dementia Scale for Down syndrome. Applying the statistical tool of regression analysis, the researchers found that decline was directly related to cognitive functioning and that higher cognitive functioning implied lesser decline. It was also identified from the study that the level of cognitive functioning was by itself related to the other variables such as education, employment and other activities. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lisa R. Stanton and Rikus H. Coetzee (2004), 'Down's syndrome and Dementia', Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2004) 10: 50-58, Available at, http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/10/1/50
• Tyrrell J, Cosgrave M, McCarron M, Mcpherson J, Calvert J, Kelly A, McLaughlin M, Gill M & Lawlor BA, (Dec 2001), 'Dementia in people with Down's syndrome', Int Journal of geriatric Psychiatry, 16(12): 1168-74
• J. D. Pinter, MD; W. E. Brown, BA, S. Eliez, MD; J. E. Schmitt, BS; G. T. Capone, MD; and A. L. Reiss, MD, (2001), 'Amygdala and hippocampal volumes in children with Down syndrome: A high-resolution MRI study', Neurology 2001; 56:972-974
• Huxley,Adam; Van-Schaik, Paul; Witts,Paul, (Dec 2005), 'A Comparison of Challenging Behaviour in an Adult Group with Down's Syndrome and Dementia Compared with an Adult Down's Syndrome Group without Dementia', British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v33 n4 p188-193
• Deb S, Braganza J, Norton N et al. Apoliprotein E e4 allele influences the manifestation of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down's syndrome. British Journal of Psychiatry 2000; 176: 468-472

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