Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
06:38
In Vitro Modeling of Down Syndrome Neurogenesis Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: March 7, 2025
1.1K
Cognitive decline and dementia in Down syndrome
Rosalyn Hithersay1, Sarah Hamburg, Bernice Knight
1Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|December 24, 2016
Summary
Individuals with Down syndrome have a high risk of dementia. Research is advancing assessments and biomarkers to aid clinical trials for preventing or delaying Alzheimer's disease in this population.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Down syndrome individuals possess three copies of the amyloid precursor protein gene, leading to amyloid-beta plaque deposition.
- Alzheimer's disease is nearly universal in older adults with Down syndrome, highlighting the need for preventative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome.
- To explore the potential for clinical trials in this population.
- To address challenges in cognitive assessment due to intellectual disability.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on cognitive decline and dementia in Down syndrome.
- Examination of advancements in neuropsychological assessment validation.
- Analysis of biomarker research, including neuroimaging (amyloid PET).
Main Results:
- Over 80% of older adults with Down syndrome may experience dementia by age 65.
- Research is improving assessment tools and understanding comorbidities like epilepsy and stroke.
- Progress has been made in developing biomarkers, such as amyloid PET imaging.
Conclusions:
- Clinical trials targeting the presymptomatic phase of Alzheimer's disease are crucial for individuals with Down syndrome.
- This population serves as a valuable model for Alzheimer's disease research.
- Further research is needed to refine outcome measures and understand biomarker progression.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Dementia
633
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
633
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
1.0K
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
1.0K
01:29Intellectual Disability
944
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
944
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
1.9K
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
1.9K
01:27Language and Cognition
912
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
912
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
856
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
856