Language skills as a predictor of cognitive decline in adults with Down syndrome. Issue 1 (25th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pulsifer, Margaret B.; Evans, Casey L.; Hom, Christy; Krinsky‐McHale, Sharon J.; Silverman, Wayne; Lai, Florence; Lott, Ira; Schupf, Nicole; Wen, Jiyang; Rosas, H. Diana
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 12:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-08-25
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Down syndrome -- language skills -- mild cognitive impairment -- semantic verbal fluency; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 616.831
• DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8729

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by a progressive decline in multiple cognitive domains including language, which can impact social interactions, behavior, and quality of life. This cross‐sectional study examined the relationship between language skills and dementia. Methods: A total of 168 adults with DS (mean age = 51.4 years) received neuropsychological assessments, including Vineland Communication Domain, McCarthy Verbal Fluency, and Boston Naming Test, and were categorized in one of three clinical groups: cognitively stable (CS, 57.8%); mild cognitive impairment (MCI‐DS, 22.6%); and probable/definite dementia (AD‐DS, 19.6%). Logistic regression was used to determine how well language measures predict group status. Results: Vineland Communication, particularly receptive language, was a significant predictor of MCI‐DS. Semantic verbal fluency was the strongest predictor of AD‐DS. Discussion: Assessment of language skills can aid in the identification of dementia in adults with DS. Clinically, indications of emerging language problems should warrant further evaluation and monitoring.