Age of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in people with Down syndrome and associated factors: Results from the Horizon 21 European Down syndrome consortium
Frode Kibsgaard Larsen, R. Asaad Baksh, Eimear McGlinchey, Ellen Melbye Langballe, Bessy Benejam, Jessica Beresford‐Webb, Mary McCarron, Antonia Coppus, Segolene Falquero, Juan Fortea, Johannes Levin, Sandra V. Loosli, Ruth Mark, Anne‐Sophie Rebillat, Shahid Zaman, Andre Strydom- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
People with Down syndrome (DS) have high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study examined mean ages of AD diagnosis and associations with co‐occurring conditions among adults with DS from five European countries.
METHODS
Data from 1335 people with DS from the Horizon 21 European DS Consortium were used for the analysis.
RESULTS
Mean ages of AD diagnosis ranged between 51.4 (SD 7.0) years (United Kingdom) and 55.6 (SD 6.8) years (France). Sleep‐related and mental health problems were associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis. The higher number of co‐occurring conditions the more likely the person with DS is diagnosed with AD at an earlier age.
DISCUSSION
Mean age of AD diagnosis in DS was relatively consistent across countries. However, co‐occurring conditions varied and impacted on age of diagnosis, suggesting that improvements can be made in diagnosing and managing these conditions to delay onset of AD in DS.
Highlights
Mean age of AD diagnosis was relatively consistent between countries Sleep problems and mental health problems were associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis APOE ε4 carriers were diagnosed with AD at an earlier age compared to non‐carriers Number of co‐occurring conditions was associated with earlier age of AD diagnosis No differences between level of intellectual disability and mean age of AD diagnosis