Cognitive performance in relatives of patients with probable Alzheimer disease: an age at onset effect?

Cognitive performance of 32 siblings and children of patients with probable Alzheimer disease was assessed longitudinally over an interval averaging 4 years. Mean scores were within normal limits for age on all measures at both test times. However, relatives of patients with early-onset dementia (less than or equal to 67 years) were more likely to show a decline in performance from the first to second testing than relatives of patients with late-onset dementia. Additional follow-up will be needed to determine the reliability of performance trajectories and to assess whether mild cognitive changes are related to future dementia. However, findings suggest that it may be important to consider family history of dementia in studies of normal cognitive aging.