Screening of dementia indicating signs in adults with intellectual disabilities

In intellectual disability, the cognitive delay is observed during developmental age, whereas in dementia, cognitive decline occurs during post-developmental period. So far, the risk of dementia in people with intellectual disability, excluding those with Down syndrome, is poorly known.

We screened dementia signs in a study group of 230 adults (34-80 years of age) with the help of the British Present Psychiatric State-Learning Disabilities assessment.

Of the study members, 42% showed two or more signs. The overall frequency of symptoms did not differ between age groups. The number of individuals with a genetic syndrome or disease manifesting with a shortened lifespan was greater in the younger age groups when compared to the older age groups.

People with an intellectual disability represent numerous rare syndromes with comorbidities. It seems that dementia signs may affect any age groups of adults with intellectual disability.