We all celebrate the fact that life expectancy for people who have Down’s syndrome has increased significantly over recent decades. However, we have been aware for many years that there is a higher proportion of adults who have Down’s syndrome affected by Alzheimer’s disease. We also know that the age of onset can be much younger than in the general population.
New research published in the Lancet this week announces new findings from an international study involving teams working at The Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Group and counterparts in Spain. The researchers uncovered changes in the brain in people who have Down’s syndrome, which sometimes occurred 20 years before an individual developed symptoms of dementia. The team concluded that this might point the way for future clinical trials and better interventions for those affected.
To learn more about the study, you can read the below from the Lancet.
As always, the Down’s Syndrome Association is very keen to work with leaders in the field of research that will help improve our understanding of the health needs of people who have Down’s syndrome. We are very grateful to the many individuals with Down’s syndrome and their families who have participated in this study.