Neuropsychological profile of aging in mild intellectual disability: A case report

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are living longer, bringing into focus the need to better understand the cognitive trajectories associated with normal and abnormal aging in this population.The following case illustrates a neuropsychological profile of a 67-year-old Caucasian male, "Mr. Rodgers." He has a diagnostic history of depression and anxiety. He is adopted as a child and much of his developmental history is unknown. The assessment follows a flexible battery approach and reveals a mild ID and a complex psychiatric profile associated with severe psychosocial trauma. He is treated with sertraline injections and individual and milieu therapy. Conclusion: The assessment of aging in geriatrics with ID requires the consideration of many factors that remain sensitive to pre-existing deficits and functioning. Norms stratified for age, education, and ID severity may improve the differential diagnosis of dementia in this population. The Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) shows promising utility and may be suitable when appropriate education estimations are used.