How is the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease made in a person with Down syndrome?

How is the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease made in a person with Down syndrome?

The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult in a person with Down syndrome because of the intellectual disability already present. The knowledge of close family members is especially important and useful information for the doctor. A close family member knows the baseline capabilities – the intellectual and functional abilities – of their loved one with Down syndrome and are usually the first person to notice changes. It is also helpful to find a memory specialist (a neurologist, psychiatrist, geriatrician) who is trained in diagnosing people who have intellectual disabilities.

The doctor will assess the patient using a variety of “thinking” tests adapted for a person with Down syndrome as well as perform tests and lab work to rule out other causes of the symptoms.

Experts recommend that the close family member of the person with Down syndrome do the following to assist in a possible diagnosis:

• Get a full intellectual, social, and behavior assessment of your loved one by the age of 35. Make sure the results of the assessment are documented in his or her medical record. This assessment will be useful as the baseline to which future changes will be compared.
• Keep a journal of any changes in the day-to-day behavior of your loved one with Down syndrome.