(HealthDay)—Most people with Down syndrome have dementia by age 55, a new study shows.
People with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, which often results in developmental disabilities. Surviving to middle age used to be rare, with many dying young due to heart problems associated with the syndrome, the researchers noted.
While treatment advances now enable people with Down syndrome to live longer, healthier lives, they’re at increased risk for dementia. And they are likely to be diagnosed at younger ages than other people.
The researchers said that by age 40, the brains of nearly all adults with Down syndrome have signs of dementia, according to autopsies.
In this study, University of Wisconsin-Madison…
