AGING OF THE DOWNS-SYNDROME BRAIN - REVIE W OF 44 SUBJECTS OLDER THAN35 YEARS

Down's syndrome patients older than 30 years develop brain lesions ide ntical to those found in Alzheimer's disease (amyloid deposits, neurof ibrillary tangles), and usually have cognitive or behavioral disorders . Forty-four Down's syndrome patients older than 35 years were studied to evaluate the incidence and heralding signs of dementia. Only half the legal guardians of the patients accepted to give their informed co nsent to the study. Detection and evaluation of early symptoms of deme ntia proved difficult in this group of mentally-retarded individuals. A personal and family history was obtained in each case. Cognitive fun ction was evaluated using MMS and the Blessed B scale, and behavioral disorders using the Blessed A scale and data from interviews of family members and of the staff of sheltered workshops. Eight patients had d efinite dementia, and five had changes possibly indicative of early de mentia. The characteristics in each of these groups and the clinical f eatures of dementia are described.