PURPOSE: To determine whether persons with Down syndrome have features
of premature aging on routine MR imaging sequences, METHODS: Sixty MR
studies (in 30 persons with Down syndrome and 30 age- and sex-matched
control subjects) were reviewed retrospectively by two blinded examin
ers, Sagittal T1-weighted and axial T2-weighted spin-echo images were
evaluated for the presence and severity of three markers of brain agin
g: atrophy, while matter lesions, and 72 hypointensity of the basal ga
ng]ia, referenced to the examiner's internal standard of normal for th
at age and sex. RESULTS: Persons with Down syndrome had higher prevale
nce and severity of the three markers studied than the control subject
s. Atrophy and white matter lesions increased in prevalence with age;
abnormal T2 hypointensity of the basal ganglia was more equally distri
buted with age. CONCLUSION: Persons with Down syndrome have features o
f premature aging detectable at routine MR imaging.