DETECTION OF ALZHEIMER-DISEASE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN-SYNDROME

A comprehensive baseline of emotional functioning was established for adults with Down syndrome. Five emotional factors were studied using g roups of (a) adults with Down syndrome (n = 30), (b) clinical control subjects with dementia of the Alzheimer type (n = 18), and (c) elderly control subjects without mental retardation (n = 25). Results of plan ned statistical comparisons showed indifference, pragnosia, and inappr opriateness as primary emotional factors separating Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease groups from elderly control subjects without mental retardation. Indifference was also shown to covary with cognitive ment al state, whereby increased levels of indifference were associated wit h decreased levels of cognitive functioning. The possibility of noncog nitive variables signalling dementia of the Alzheimer type in individu als with Down syndrome was discussed.