AGE-SPECIFIC PREVALENCE, THYROID-DYSFUNCTION AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN ADULTS WITH DOWN-SYNDROME AND DEMENTIA

Two hundred and one adults with Down syndrome (DS) were investigated f or differing aspects of clinical dementia. Age-specific prevalence rat es of 9.4% for age range 40-49 years, 36.1% for 50-59 years and 54.5% for 60-69 years were found. Findings associated with increasing severi ty of dementia were gait deterioration, onset of urinary incontinence, increased muscle tone and onset of seizures. No association was found between thyroid dysfunction or thyroid autoimmunity and dementia. How ever, depressive symptomatology of depressed mood, weight loss and red uced appetite were associated with dementia. These findings investigat ing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in adults with DS support findings report ed for the non-learning disability population of an association betwee n age, depressive symptomatology and AD but no association between thy roid dysfunction and AD.