Depression and Dementia in Aging Adults With Down Syndrome: A Case Study Approach

Abstract

Patterns of symptoms associated with depression and dementia were examined in 3 aging adults with Down syndrome. A case study approach (Yin, 1994) was employed to identify and link these symptoms. Results of the case analyses provide further insight into distinguishing between depression and dementia in older persons with Down syndrome.

Behavioral phenotype of individuals with Down syndrome

“…Investigations of both adaptive and maladaptive behavior in adults with Down syndrome have made comparisons with: (1) adults without Down syndrome matched on developmental level [Schupf et al, 1997;Collacott et al, 1998]; (2) adults who did or did not have depression [Meins, 1995] or dementia [Prasher and Filer, 1995;Roeden and Zitman, 1995;Prasher and Chung, 1996;Cooper and Prasher, 1998;]; and (3) younger and older adults or investigated effects of aging in short-term longitudinal studies [Collacott, 1992;Prasher and Chung, 1996;Schupf et al, 1997;Sung et al, 1997;].…”

“…Are there age effects for adaptive behavior, maladaptive behavior or psychiatric diagnosis of depression or dementia and what is the relationship between depression and dementia? With few exceptions [Sung et al, 1997;], the majority of studies on behavioral changes associated with aging in Down syndrome have employed a cross-sectional design [Collacott, 1992;Chung, 1996: Schupf et al, 1997]. Age-related declines in 9 out of 10 domains of adaptive functioning have been reported in two studies [Collacott, 1992;Prasher and Chung, 1996].…”

Handbook of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

“…Dementia is one of a multitude of aging-related conditions that can cause functional decline in individuals with ID. Others include congenital heart conditions, hypothyroidism, hearing and visual impairments, cerebral palsy, gastric disorders, depression, and other mental health issues (Burt, 1999;Burt et al, 1998;Burt, Loveland, & Lewis, 1992;Evenhuis, 1995aEvenhuis, , 1995bEvenhuis, , 1997Prasher & Chung, 1996;Prasher & Hall, 1996;Roeden & Zitman, 1995;Sung et al, 1997;van Schrojenstein Lantman-deValk et al, 1997). Increasing visual and hearing impairments with age has been identified (Evenhuis, 1995a(Evenhuis, , 1995bRoeden & Zitman, 1995) and these conditions can result in functional impairment.…”