Development of Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome individuals.

Results of autopsies have indicated that people with Down syndrome who live longer than 40 years develop the brain pathology of Alzheimer disease, a presenile dementia. Because of their initially low levels of mental functioning, Down syndrome persons' clinical symptoms frequently go undetected until the disease is advanced and deterioration severe. Study of this doubly inflicted population is critical to development of appropriate assessment methods and to the study of the role of genetics in aging. A preliminary investigation of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) as a potential diagnostic tool was presented. The ABS clearly differentiated the regressed from the well-functioning Down syndrome individuals, offering promise as a practical assessment device.