John D. Chovan, James R. Cachillo
Alzheimer's Disease, Down Syndrome
Medical Pathology | Nursing
This presentation is a focus on some of the theories of the pathophysiology of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS). Down Syndrome, a genetic condition where an individual has a partial or full extra chromosome 21, is the most common chromosomal condition in the United States (National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), 2012). Average life expectancy for individuals with DS has vastly increased in the last thirty years from age 25 to age 60 (NDSS, 2012). The extra chromosome genetically makes individuals with DS predisposed to certain conditions, including early onset dementia and AD, therefore as their life expectancy increases, so does their risk of developing this disease. Early-onset AD is characterized by having AD by the age 65. The purpose of this presentation is to aid practitioners in having a better understanding of the disease process in order to provide appropriate and timely diagnosis and treatment for this growing population.
Pack, Amanda, "Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in Individuals with Down Syndrome: Explored Theories of Pathophysiology" (2014). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Student Scholarship. 11.