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Hillerstrom H, Fisher R, Janicki MP, Chicoine B, Christian BT, Esbensen A, Esralew L, Fortea J, Hartley S, Hassenstab J, Keller SM, Krinsky‐McHale S, Lai F, Levin J, McCarron M, McDade E, Rebillat AS, Rosas HD, Silverman W, Strydom A, Zaman SH, Zetterberg H. Adapting prescribing criteria for amyloid-targeted antibodies for adults with Down syndrome. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:3649-3656. [PMID: 38480678 PMCID: PMC11095423 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Prior authorization criteria for Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved immunotherapeutics, among the class of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), established by state drug formulary committees, are tailored for adults with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. This overlooks adults with Down syndrome (DS), who often experience dementia at a younger age and with different diagnostic assessment outcomes. This exclusion may deny DS adults access to potential disease-modifying treatments. To address this issue, an international expert panel convened to establish adaptations of prescribing criteria suitable for DS patients and parameters for access to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) registries. The panel proposed mitigating disparities by modifying CMS and payer criteria to account for younger onset age, using alternative language and assessment instruments validated for cognitive decline in the DS population. The panel also recommended enhancing prescribing clinicians' diagnostic capabilities for DS and initiated awareness-raising activities within healthcare organizations. These efforts facilitated discussions with federal officials, aimed at achieving equity in access to anti-amyloid immunotherapeutics, with implications for national authorities worldwide evaluating these and other new disease-modifying therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew P. Janicki
- Department of Disability and Human DevelopmentUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia PracticesRockportMaineUSA
| | - Brian Chicoine
- Advocate Health, Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome CenterAdvocate Lutheran General Hospital Family Medicine ResidencyPark RidgeIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Anna Esbensen
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral PediatricsCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnati Children's HospitalCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Lucille Esralew
- California Department of Developmental ServicesSacramentoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Juan Fortea
- Biomedical Research Institute Sant PauUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Department of NeurologyHospital de la Santa Creu i Sant PauBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sigan Hartley
- Waisman Center IDDRCUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Jason Hassenstab
- Departments of Neurology and Psychological & Brain SciencesKnight Alzheimer Disease Research CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Seth M. Keller
- National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia PracticesRockportMaineUSA
- Neurology Associates of South JerseyLumbertonNew JerseyUSA
| | - Sharon Krinsky‐McHale
- Department of PsychologyNew York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental DisabilitiesIslandNew YorkUSA
| | - Florence Lai
- MGH Neurology ResearchMass General Brigham HospitalMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology & German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) e.V.Ludwig‐Maximilians UniversityMunichGermany
- Department of NeurologySahgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Mary McCarron
- Trinity Centre for Ageing and Intellectual DisabilityTrinity College, University of DublinDublinIreland
| | - Eric McDade
- Departments of Neurology and Psychological & Brain SciencesKnight Alzheimer Disease Research CenterWashington UniversitySt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Herminia Diana Rosas
- MGH Neurology ResearchMass General Brigham HospitalMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of RadiologyAthinoula Martinos CenterMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
| | - Wayne Silverman
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andre Strydom
- Institute of PsychiatryPsychology and Neuroscience, Kings CollegeLondonUK
| | - Shahid H. Zaman
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research GroupCambridge UniversityCambridgeUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia ResearchSahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMolndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMolndalSweden
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
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Baksh RA, Strydom A, Carter B, Carriere I, Ritchie K. Toward the right treatment at the right time: Modeling the trajectory of cognitive decline to identify the earliest age of change in people with Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e12563. [PMID: 38463041 PMCID: PMC10921067 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A limitation of randomized control trials in AD is a lack of specificity in the age ranges of participants who are enrolled in studies of disease-modifying therapies. We aimed to apply Emax (i.e., maximum effect) modeling as a novel approach to identity ideal treatment windows. Methods Emax curves were fitted to longitudinal cognitive data of 101 participants with AD and 1392 healthy controls. We included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and tests of verbal fluency and executive functioning. Results In people with AD, the earliest decline in the MMSE could be detected in the 67-71 age band while verbal fluency declined from the 41-45 age band. In healthy controls, changes in cognition showed a later trajectory of decline. Discussion Emax modeling could be used to design more efficient trials which has implications for randomized control trials targeting the earlier stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Asaad Baksh
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonDenmark HillLondonUK
- The LonDownS ConsortiumDenmark HillLondonUK
| | - André Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonDenmark HillLondonUK
- The LonDownS ConsortiumDenmark HillLondonUK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustMichael Rutter CentreLondonUK
| | - Ben Carter
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Isabelle Carriere
- INSERM, Institut de Neurosciences de Montpellier INMMontpellierFrance
| | - Karen Ritchie
- INSERM, Institut de Neurosciences de Montpellier INMMontpellierFrance
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Idris M, Saini F, Pape SE, Baksh RA, Cahart MS, Strydom A. Common mental health disorders and cognitive decline in a longitudinal Down syndrome cohort. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e206. [PMID: 37920115 PMCID: PMC10753965 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and Alzheimer's disease. In the general population, common mental disorders (CMDs), including anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are linked to cognitive decline and higher risk for dementia. It is not known how CMDs affect longer-term cognitive outcomes in Down syndrome, and there is often diagnostic uncertainty in older people with Down syndrome and psychiatric comorbidity. AIMS To study the influence of CMDs on cognitive ability and whether they are related longitudinally to development of clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. METHOD We followed 115 individuals with Down syndrome, 27 of whom were diagnosed with a CMD, over approximately 3 years. Changes in cognitive and behavioural outcomes between baseline and follow-up assessment were analysed, with comparisons made between those with and without a comorbid CMD. Age, gender, apolipoprotein E status and level of intellectual disability were included as covariates. RESULTS No significant association between presence of a CMD and poorer performance on cognitive tasks or informant-rated decline over time was observed (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a diagnosis of a CMD does not have a significant negative effect on long-term cognitive or behavioural outcomes in individuals with Down syndrome. In individuals with stable or treated CMD, subsequent cognitive decline is likely indicative of Alzheimer's disease rather than a consequence of mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Idris
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Fedal Saini
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah E. Pape
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - R. Asaad Baksh
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Marie-Stephanie Cahart
- Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - André Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Huang YN, Huang JY, Wang CH, Su PH. Long-Term Non-Congenital Cardiac and Renal Complications in Down Syndrome: A Study of 32,936 Patients. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1351. [PMID: 37628350 PMCID: PMC10453106 DOI: 10.3390/children10081351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher risk of cardiac, renal, and other health issues due to a complex disease physiology. However, few data exist on long-term disease risks to guide prevention and care. We aimed to determine the 10-year incidence of cardiac, renal, and urinary tract complications in Down syndrome versus matched controls. METHODS This retrospective cohort study utilized a large collaborative database. We identified 32,444 patients with Down syndrome and matched controls, excluding those with pre-follow-up target events. Covariates included demographics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Outcomes were ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disease. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox regression and plotted Kaplan-Meier survival curves. FINDINGS Over 10 years, Down syndrome patients showed a 3.7-fold higher ischemic heart disease risk (95% CI: 3.0-4.6) and a 1.6-fold higher hypertension risk (95% CI: 1.4-1.8) versus controls. Hypothyroidism (HR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7-2.4), epilepsy (HR = 4.5; 95% CI: 3.5-5.8), and urinary tract infection (HR = 3.9; 95% CI: 3.4-4.6) risks were also higher. Chronic kidney disease risk was 2.7-fold greater (95% CI: 2.1-3.5). Survival analysis confirmed a significantly higher incidence of all outcomes in Down syndrome (p < 0.0001). INTERPRETATION This large study found major health challenges in Down syndrome, with risks 3- to 5-fold higher for chronic conditions versus matched controls over 10 years. Though survival remains high with proper care, focusing resources on the prevention and management of complications in this high-risk group can optimize well-being across the lifespan. Future research accounting for limitations here would provide definitive estimates of disease risk in Down syndrome to guide targeted health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Nan Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan (C.-H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yang Huang
- Center for Health Data Science, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsing Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan (C.-H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, Children’s Hospital of China Medical University, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
| | - Pen-Hua Su
- Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402306, Taiwan (C.-H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402306, Taiwan
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Zemach M, Lifshitz H, Vakil E. Brain reserve theory: Are adults with intellectual disability more vulnerable to age than peers with typical development? JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 2023. [PMID: 36919892 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Life expectancy is on rise and the intriguing question is: When does cognitive decline occur among adults with intellectual disability, compared to adults with typical development? This cross-sectional study examined cognitive performance of crystallised/fluid intelligence, working and long-term memory of adults with intellectual disability of etiologies other than Down syndrome (IQ 50-68) and adults with typical development (IQ 85-114) in four age cohorts (30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69). METHOD The WAIS IIIHEB and the Rey-AVLT were administered to both groups. RESULTS Four patterns of cognitive performance were found: (a) Vocabulary (crystallised intelligence), Spatial Span Forward and Retention yielded similar scores across all four age cohorts in participants with typical development and with intellectual disability. (b) Similarities, Raven and Digit Span Backward exhibit lower scores only in 50-59 or 60-69 compared to the 30-39 age cohort in both groups, (c) Digit Span Forward, Spatial Span Backward and Total Leaning (LTM) yielded lower scores in the 50-59 or 60-69 age cohorts in the typical group, but similar scores in participants with intellectual disability along the age cohorts, (d) Block Design (fluid intelligence) yielded a lower score in the 50-59 cohort versus lower scores only at ages 60-69 in participants with typical development. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a possible parallel trajectory in age-related cognitive performance for individuals with and without intellectual disability in six measures, and a possible more preserved trajectory in fluid intelligence and some memory measures in adults with intellectual disability compared to their peers. Caution should be exercised regarding Digit and Spatial Span Backwards, which yielded a floor effect in participants with intellectual disability. The Cognitive Reserve Theory, the Safeguard Hypothesis and late maturation might serve as explanations for these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Zemach
- Faculty of Education, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | | | - Eli Vakil
- Department of Psychology and Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Centre, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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6
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Rodríguez-Hidalgo E, García-Alba J, Novell R, Esteba-Castillo S. The Global Deterioration Scale for Down Syndrome Population (GDS-DS): A Rating Scale to Assess the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5096. [PMID: 36982004 PMCID: PMC10049652 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to adapt and validate the global deterioration scale (GDS) for the systematic tracking of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression in a population with Down syndrome (DS). A retrospective dual-center cohort study was conducted with 83 participants with DS (46.65 ± 5.08 years) who formed the primary diagnosis (PD) group: cognitive stability (n = 48), mild cognitive impairment (n = 24), and Alzheimer's disease (n = 11). The proposed scale for adults with DS (GDS-DS) comprises six stages, from cognitive and/or behavioral stability to advanced AD. Two neuropsychologists placed the participants of the PD group in each stage of the GDS-DS according to cognitive, behavioral and daily living skills data. Inter-rater reliability in staging with the GDS-DS was excellent (ICC = 0.86; CI: 0.80-0.93), and the agreement with the diagnosis categories of the PD group ranged from substantial to excellent with κ values of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73-0.92) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.99). Performance with regard to the CAMCOG-DS total score and orientation subtest of the Barcelona test for intellectual disability showed a slight progressive decline across all the GDS-DS stages. The GDS-DS scale is a sensitive tool for staging the progression of AD in the DS population, with special relevance in daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emili Rodríguez-Hidalgo
- Specialized Service in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Neurodevelopmental Group [Girona Biomedical Research Institute]-IDIBGI, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
| | - Javier García-Alba
- Research and Psychology in Education Department, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Novell
- Specialized Service in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Neurodevelopmental Group [Girona Biomedical Research Institute]-IDIBGI, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
| | - Susanna Esteba-Castillo
- Specialized Service in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Neurodevelopmental Group [Girona Biomedical Research Institute]-IDIBGI, Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, 17190 Girona, Spain
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7
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Nadeau PA, Jobin B, Boller B. Diagnostic Sensitivity and Specificity of Cognitive Tests for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease in Patients with Down Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:13-51. [PMID: 37522203 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improved health care for people with Down syndrome (DS) has resulted in an increase in their life expectancy therefore increasing comorbidities associated with age-related problems in this population, the most frequent being Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, several cognitive tests have been developed to evaluate cognitive changes related to the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in people with DS. OBJECTIVE Identify and evaluate available cognitive tests for the diagnosis of MCI and AD in people with DS. METHODS A systematic search of the Pubmed and PsycInfo databases was performed to identify articles published from January 1, 2000 and July 1, 2022. Keysearch terms were DS, AD or MCI, cognition, and assessment. Relevant studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of cognitive tests for AD or MCI with standard clinical evaluation were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS 2. RESULTS We identified 15 batteries, 2 intelligence scales, 14 memory tests, 11 executive, functioning tests, 11 motor and visuospatial functioning tests, 5 language tests, 3 attention tests, and 2 orientation tests. Analysis showed that the CAMCOG-DS present a fair to excellent diagnostic accuracy for detecting AD in patients with DS. However, for the diagnosis of MCI, this battery showed poor to good diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION The findings highlight important limitations of the current assessment available for the screening of mild cognitive impairment and AD in patients with DS and support the need for more clinical trials to ensure better screening for this highly at-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benoît Jobin
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivière, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benjamin Boller
- Univerisité de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivière, Quebec, Canada
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Silverman W, Krinsky-McHale SJ, Zigman WB, Schupf N. Adults with Down syndrome in randomized clinical trials targeting prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:1736-1743. [PMID: 34873819 PMCID: PMC10302784 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adults with Down syndrome, the largest population genetically predisposed to high risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), are ideally suited participants for clinical trials targeting prevention. Critically important considerations for the design of such trials include appropriate selection of participants, outcome measures, and duration of follow-up. METHODS Archived data for 12 measures of performance over a 3-year period were analyzed for 185 adults with Down syndrome 36 years of age and older with presumptive preclinical AD. RESULTS Declines over 3 years were not observed prior to 46 years of age. However, declines were observed at older ages, increasing monotonically for groups aged 46-49, 50-55, and >55, as did incidence of prodromal AD and dementia. DISCUSSION Significant decline over a 2- to 3-year period for a prospective placebo group of adults with Down syndrome enrolled in clinical prevention trials can only be expected when inclusion is limited to adults older than 45 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne Silverman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California, USA
| | - Sharon J Krinsky-McHale
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Warren B Zigman
- Department of Psychology, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, New York, USA
| | - Nicole Schupf
- Department of Epidemiology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain and in Psychiatry, the Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Bartesaghi R, Vicari S, Mobley WC. Prenatal and Postnatal Pharmacotherapy in Down Syndrome: The Search to Prevent or Ameliorate Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 62:211-233. [PMID: 34990205 PMCID: PMC9632639 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-041521-103641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Those with Down syndrome (DS)-trisomy for chromosome 21-are routinely impacted by cognitive dysfunction and behavioral challenges in children and adults and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. No proven treatments specifically address these cognitive or behavioral changes. However, advances in the establishment of rodent models and human cell models promise to support development of such treatments. A research agenda that emphasizes the identification of overexpressed genes that contribute demonstrably to abnormalities in cognition and behavior in model systems constitutes a rational next step. Normalizing expression of such genes may usher in an era of successful treatments applicable across the life span for those with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Bartesaghi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy,Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165-00146 Rome, Italy
| | - William C. Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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10
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Fortea J, Zaman SH, Hartley S, Rafii MS, Head E, Carmona-Iragui M. Alzheimer's disease associated with Down syndrome: a genetic form of dementia. Lancet Neurol 2021; 20:930-942. [PMID: 34687637 PMCID: PMC9387748 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00245-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adults with Down syndrome develop the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and are at very high risk of developing early-onset dementia, which is now the leading cause of death in this population. Diagnosis of dementia remains a clinical challenge because of the lack of validated diagnostic criteria in this population, and because symptoms are overshadowed by the intellectual disability associated with Down syndrome. In people with Down syndrome, fluid and imaging biomarkers have shown good diagnostic performances and a strikingly similar temporality of changes with respect to sporadic and autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease. Most importantly, there are no treatments to prevent Alzheimer's disease, even though adults with Down syndrome could be an optimal population in whom to conduct Alzheimer's disease prevention trials. Unprecedented research activity in Down syndrome is rapidly changing this bleak scenario that will translate into disease-modifying therapies that could benefit other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu y Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas. CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sigan Hartley
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison, USA
| | - Michael S Rafii
- Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. San Diego, USA
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California. Irvine, USA
| | - Maria Carmona-Iragui
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas. CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Rujeedawa T, Carrillo Félez E, Clare ICH, Fortea J, Strydom A, Rebillat AS, Coppus A, Levin J, Zaman SH. The Clinical and Neuropathological Features of Sporadic (Late-Onset) and Genetic Forms of Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4582. [PMID: 34640600 PMCID: PMC8509365 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to compare and highlight the clinical and pathological aspects of genetic versus acquired Alzheimer's disease: Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer's disease in (DSAD) and Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) are compared with the late-onset form of the disease (LOAD). DSAD and ADAD present in a younger population and are more likely to manifest with non-amnestic (such as dysexecutive function features) in the prodromal phase or neurological features (such as seizures and paralysis) especially in ADAD. The very large variety of mutations associated with ADAD explains the wider range of phenotypes. In the LOAD, age-associated comorbidities explain many of the phenotypic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzil Rujeedawa
- Cambridge Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK; (T.R.); (E.C.F.); (I.C.H.C.)
| | - Eva Carrillo Félez
- Cambridge Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK; (T.R.); (E.C.F.); (I.C.H.C.)
| | - Isabel C. H. Clare
- Cambridge Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK; (T.R.); (E.C.F.); (I.C.H.C.)
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation NHS Trust, Fulbourn CB21 5EF, UK
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andre Strydom
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK;
- South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, The LonDowns Consortium, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | | | - Antonia Coppus
- Department for Primary and Community Care, Department of Primary and Community Care (149 ELG), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 17, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 17, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Shahid H. Zaman
- Cambridge Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PQ, UK; (T.R.); (E.C.F.); (I.C.H.C.)
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation NHS Trust, Fulbourn CB21 5EF, UK
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Cognitive Function during the Prodromal Stage of Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome: Comparing Models. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091220. [PMID: 34573242 PMCID: PMC8471085 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate identification of the prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), in adults with Down syndrome (MCI-DS) has been challenging because there are no established diagnostic criteria that can be applied for people with lifelong intellectual disabilities (ID). As such, the sequence of cognitive decline in adults with DS has been difficult to ascertain, and it is possible that domain constructs characterizing cognitive function in neurotypical adults do not generalize to this high-risk population. The present study examined associations among multiple measures of cognitive function in adults with DS, either prior to or during the prodromal stage of AD to determine, through multiple statistical techniques, the measures that reflected the same underlying domains of processing. Participants included 144 adults with DS 40–82 years of age, all enrolled in a larger, multidisciplinary study examining biomarkers of AD in adults with DS. All participants had mild or moderate lifelong intellectual disabilities. Overall AD-related clinical status was rated for each individual during a personalized consensus conference that considered performance as well as health status, with 103 participants considered cognitively stable (CS) and 41 to have MCI-DS. Analyses of 17 variables derived from 10 tests of cognition indicated that performance reflected three underlying factors: language/executive function, memory, and visuomotor. All three domain composite scores significantly predicted MCI-DS status. Based upon path modeling, the language/executive function composite score was the most affected by prodromal AD. However, based upon structural equation modeling, tests assessing the latent construct of memory were the most impacted, followed by those assessing visuomotor, and then those assessing language/executive function. Our study provides clear evidence that cognitive functioning in older adults with DS can be characterized at the cognitive domain level, but the statistical methods selected and the inclusion or exclusion of certain covariates may lead to different conclusions. Best practice requires investigators to understand the internal structure of their variables and to provide evidence that their variables assess their intended constructs.
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Zammit MD, Tudorascu DL, Laymon CM, Hartley SL, Zaman SH, Ances BM, Johnson SC, Stone CK, Mathis CA, Klunk WE, Cohen AD, Handen BL, Christian BT. PET measurement of longitudinal amyloid load identifies the earliest stages of amyloid-beta accumulation during Alzheimer's disease progression in Down syndrome. Neuroimage 2021; 228:117728. [PMID: 33421595 PMCID: PMC7953340 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.117728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and reveal early amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology in the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) provides an in vivo measure of Aβ throughout the AD continuum. Due to the high prevalence of AD in DS, there is need for longitudinal imaging studies of Aβ to better characterize the natural history of Aβ accumulation, which will aid in the staging of this population for clinical trials aimed at AD treatment and prevention. Methods: Adults with DS (N = 79; Mean age (SD) = 42.7 (7.28) years) underwent longitudinal [C-11]Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET. Global Aβ burden was quantified using the amyloid load metric (AβL). Modeled PiB images were generated from the longitudinal AβL data to visualize which regions are most susceptible to Aβ accumulation in DS. AβL change was evaluated across Aβ(−), Aβ-converter, and Aβ(+) groups to assess longitudinal Aβ trajectories during different stages of AD-pathology progression. AβL change values were used to identify Aβ-accumulators within the Aβ(−) group prior to reaching the Aβ(+) threshold (previously reported as 20 AβL) which would have resulted in an Aβ-converter classification. With knowledge of trajectories of Aβ(−) accumulators, a new cutoff of Aβ(+) was derived to better identify subthreshold Aβ accumulation in DS. Estimated sample sizes necessary to detect a 25% reduction in annual Aβ change with 80% power (alpha 0.01) were determined for different groups of Aβ-status. Results: Modeled PiB images revealed the striatum, parietal cortex and precuneus as the regions with earliest detected Aβ accumulation in DS. The Aβ(−) group had a mean AβL change of 0.38 (0.58) AβL/year, while the Aβ-converter and Aβ(+) groups had change of 2.26 (0.66) and 3.16 (1.34) AβL/year, respectively. Within the Aβ(−) group, Aβ-accumulators showed no significant difference in AβL change values when compared to Aβ-converter and Aβ(+) groups. An Aβ(+) cutoff for subthreshold Aβ accumulation was derived as 13.3 AβL. The estimated sample size necessary to detect a 25% reduction in Aβ was 79 for Aβ(−) accumulators and 59 for the Aβ-converter/Aβ(+) group in DS. Conclusion: Longitudinal AβL changes were capable of distinguishing Aβ accumulators from non-accumulators in DS. Longitudinal imaging allowed for identification of subthreshold Aβ accumulation in DS during the earliest stages of AD-pathology progression. Detection of active Aβ deposition evidenced by subthreshold accumulation with longitudinal imaging can identify DS individuals at risk for AD development at an earlier stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Zammit
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Dana L Tudorascu
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Charles M Laymon
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, United States; University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Sigan L Hartley
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
| | - Shahid H Zaman
- Cambridge Intellectual Disability Research Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Beau M Ances
- Washington University in St. Louis Department of Neurology, St. Louis, MO, United States.
| | - Sterling C Johnson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Charles K Stone
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Medicine, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Chester A Mathis
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - William E Klunk
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ann D Cohen
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Benjamin L Handen
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
| | - Bradley T Christian
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, United States.
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