Adults with Down syndrome develop the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease and are at very high risk of developing early-onset dementia, which is now the leading cause of death in this population. Diagnosis of dementia remains a clinical challenge because of the lack of validated diagnostic criteria in this population, and because symptoms are overshadowed by the intellectual disability associated with Down syndrome.
Unprecedented research activity in Down syndrome is rapidly changing this bleak scenario that will translate into disease-modifying therapies that could benefit other populations. Sigan Hartley, 100 Women Distinguished Chair in Human Ecology, Director of SoHE Graduate Studies, and Associate Professor in Human Development & Family Studies is co-author on a new article, “Alzheimer’s disease associated with Down syndrome: a genetic form of dementia,” published in The Lancet Neurology.
Read the full article at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1474442221002453