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Baumer NT, Capone G. Psychopharmacological treatments in Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder: State of the research and practical considerations. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2023; 193:e32069. [PMID: 37870763 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32069] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and especially those with both DS and co-occurring ASD (DS + ASD) commonly display behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that can impact quality of life and places increased burden on caregivers. While the mainstay of treatment in DS and ASD is focused on educational and behavioral therapies, pharmacological treatments can be used to reduce symptom burden. There is a paucity of evidence and limited clinical trials in DS and DS + ASD. Some scientific evidence is available, primarily in open label studies and case series that can guide treatment choices. Additionally, clinical decisions are often extrapolated from evidence and experience from those with ASD, or intellectual disability in those without DS. This article reviews current research in pharmacological treatment in DS, ASD, and DS + ASD, reviews co-occurring neurodevelopmental and mental health diagnoses in individuals with DS + ASD across the lifespan, and describes practical approaches to psychopharmacological management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole T Baumer
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - George Capone
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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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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Muza PM, Bush D, Pérez-González M, Zouhair I, Cleverley K, Sopena ML, Aoidi R, West SJ, Good M, Tybulewicz VL, Walker MC, Fisher EM, Chang P. Cognitive impairments in a Down syndrome model with abnormal hippocampal and prefrontal dynamics and cytoarchitecture. iScience 2023; 26:106073. [PMID: 36818290 PMCID: PMC9929862 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Dp(10)2Yey mouse carries a ∼2.3-Mb intra-chromosomal duplication of mouse chromosome 10 (Mmu10) that has homology to human chromosome 21, making it an essential model for aspects of Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21). In this study, we investigated neuronal dysfunction in the Dp(10)2Yey mouse and report spatial memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior alongside altered neural activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HPC). Specifically, Dp(10)2Yey mice showed impaired spatial alternation associated with increased sharp-wave ripple activity in mPFC during a period of memory consolidation, and reduced mobility in a novel environment accompanied by reduced theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling in HPC. Finally, we found alterations in the number of interneuron subtypes in mPFC and HPC that may contribute to the observed phenotypes and highlight potential approaches to ameliorate the effects of human trisomy 21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip M. Muza
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Daniel Bush
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3AZ, UK
| | - Marta Pérez-González
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ines Zouhair
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Karen Cleverley
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Miriam L. Sopena
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Rifdat Aoidi
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Steven J. West
- Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, University College London, London W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Mark Good
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Victor L.J. Tybulewicz
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Corresponding author
| | - Matthew C. Walker
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Corresponding author
| | - Elizabeth M.C. Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Corresponding author
| | - Pishan Chang
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
- Corresponding author
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Esbensen AJ, Hoffman EK, Shaffer RC, Patel LR, Jacola LM. Relationship Between Parent and Teacher Reported Executive Functioning and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children With Down Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2021; 126:307-323. [PMID: 34161563 PMCID: PMC8244734 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-126.4.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The current study evaluates the concurrent relationship between parent ratings of executive functioning and maladaptive behavior among children and adolescents with Down syndrome and then repeats this evaluation using teacher reports. Parents and teachers of 63 school-age children with Down syndrome rated the child's executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) and behaviors (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist). For parent and teacher ratings, elevated behavior dysregulation predicted higher levels of rule-breaking, aggressive, and externalizing behavior. For teacher ratings, elevated behavior dysregulation also predicted higher levels of inattention problems. Among both parent and teacher ratings, greater metacognitive difficulties predicted challenges with attention. Understanding the relationship between these constructs has important implications for targets of intervention and developing preventative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J. Esbensen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Emily K. Hoffman
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Rebecca C. Shaffer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Lina R. Patel
- Sie Center for Down Syndrome, Children’s Hospital Colorado
| | - Lisa M. Jacola
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
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Atypical electrophysiological and behavioral responses to diazepam in a leading mouse model of Down syndrome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9521. [PMID: 33947925 PMCID: PMC8096846 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence implicates dysfunctional GABAAR-mediated neurotransmission as one of the underlying causes of learning and memory deficits observed in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome (DS). The specific origin and nature of such dysfunction is still under investigation, which is an issue with practical consequences to preclinical and clinical research, as well as to the care of individuals with DS and anxiety disorder or those experiencing seizures in emergency room settings. Here, we investigated the effects of GABAAR positive allosteric modulation (PAM) by diazepam on brain activity, synaptic plasticity, and behavior in Ts65Dn mice. We found Ts65Dn mice to be less sensitive to diazepam, as assessed by electroencephalography, long-term potentiation, and elevated plus-maze. Still, diazepam pre-treatment displayed typical effectiveness in reducing susceptibility and severity to picrotoxin-induced seizures in Ts65Dn mice. These findings fill an important gap in the understanding of GABAergic function in a key model of DS.
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Santoro JD, Pagarkar D, Chu DT, Rosso M, Paulsen KC, Levitt P, Rafii MS. Neurologic complications of Down syndrome: a systematic review. J Neurol 2020; 268:4495-4509. [PMID: 32920658 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10179-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most well-recognized genetic disorders. Persons with DS are known to have a variety of co-morbid medical problems, affecting nearly all organ systems. Improved healthcare interventions and research have allowed for increased life span of persons with DS, although disorders of the neurologic system remain underexplored. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide clinically pertinent information on the neurological phenotypes of frequently occurring or clinically relevant conditions. A retrospective review of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Pubmed were used to identify sources among seventeen, clinically relevant, search categories. MeSH terms all contained the phrase "Down Syndrome" in conjunction with the topic of interest. 'Frequently-occurring' was defined as prevalent in more than 10% of persons with DS across their lifespan, whereas 'clinically-relevant' was defined as a disease condition where early diagnosis or intervention can augment the disease course. In total, 4896 sources were identified with 159 sources meeting criteria for inclusion. Seventeen clinical conditions were grouped under the following subjects: hypotonia, intellectual and learning disability, cervical instability, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric disease. The results of this review provide a blueprint for the clinical neurologist taking care of persons with DS across the age spectrum and indicate that there are many underrecognized and misdiagnosed co-occurring conditions in DS, highlighting the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Santoro
- Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Dania Pagarkar
- Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Duong T Chu
- Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Mattia Rosso
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kelli C Paulsen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pat Levitt
- Department of Pediatrics and Program in Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Neurogenetics, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Rafii
- Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Glasson EJ, Buckley N, Chen W, Leonard H, Epstein A, Skoss R, Jacoby P, Blackmore AM, Bourke J, Downs J. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Mental Health in Children With Neurogenetic Disorders Associated With Intellectual Disability. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2020; 59:1036-1048. [PMID: 31945412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The behavioral phenotype of neurogenetic disorders associated with intellectual disability often includes psychiatric comorbidity. The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to systematically review the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and symptoms in children and adolescents with these disorders and compare phenotypic signatures between syndromes. METHOD MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles from study inception to December 2018. Eligible articles were peer reviewed, were published in English, and reported prevalence data for psychiatric disorders and symptoms in children and adolescents aged 4 to 21 years using a formal psychiatric assessment or a standardized assessment of mental health symptoms. Pooled prevalence was determined using a random-effects meta-analysis in studies with sufficient data. Prevalence estimates were compared with general population data using a test of binomial proportions. RESULTS Of 2,301 studies identified for review, 39 articles were included in the final pool, which provided data on 4,039 children and adolescents. Ten syndromes were represented, and five were predominant: Down syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. The Child Behavior Checklist was the most commonly used assessment tool for psychiatric symptoms. The pooled prevalence with total scores above the clinical threshold was lowest for Down syndrome (32% [95% confidence interval, 19%-44%]) and highest for Prader-Willi syndrome (74% [95% CI, 65%-82%]) with each syndrome associated with significantly higher prevalence than in the general population. Parallel trends were observed for the internalizing and externalizing domains and social subscale scores. CONCLUSION Differential vulnerability for psychiatric phenotype expression across the disorders was observed. Syndromes with higher levels of social ability or competence appear to offer relative protection against developing psychopathology. This preliminary finding merits further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Glasson
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Nicholas Buckley
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Wai Chen
- Complex Attention and Hyperactivity Disorders Service, Perth, Australia; and the Centre and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Amy Epstein
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Rachel Skoss
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Peter Jacoby
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Jenny Bourke
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Jenny Downs
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
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Callahan KP, Adams R. Contextualizing Future Health: A Parent and Resident Discuss Down Syndrome. Pediatrics 2020; 145:peds.2019-1403. [PMID: 31801852 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-1403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Adams
- Department of English and Comparative Literature, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Del Hoyo Soriano L, Thurman AJ, Abbeduto L. Specificity: A Phenotypic Comparison of Communication-Relevant Domains Between Youth With Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome. Front Genet 2018; 9:424. [PMID: 30327664 PMCID: PMC6174242 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the shared presence of an intellectual disability (ID), there is a growing literature documenting important phenotypic differences between Down syndrome (DS) and fragile X syndrome (FXS). These conclusions, however, are based on a synthesis across studies, each of which typically includes only measures of a limited number of constructs, and with differing participant characteristics. Firmer conclusions regarding specific phenotypes require a single comprehensive multi-domain assessment of participants with the syndrome groups being well matched on chronological age (CA) and cognitive functioning. The current study was designed to fill this gap by assessing several important cognitive and behavioral domains relevant to communication, such as: structural language skills, false belief understanding, as well as pragmatics and behavioral difficulties, in 30 adolescents of both sexes with DS and 39 males with FXS, matched on CA and nonverbal (NV) cognition. After statistically controlling for NV cognition, we did not find significant syndrome differences in expressive and receptive structural language or false belief understanding. In contrast, participants with DS displayed less stereotyped language and fewer behavioral difficulties compared to males with FXS. Within-syndrome associations among the targeted domains are described. Finally, females with DS were less impaired than males with DS in almost all structural language domains, whereas no significant sex-related differences were observed in NV cognition, false belief understanding, pragmatics, or behavior. Clinical and methodological implications of the findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Del Hoyo Soriano
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Angela John Thurman
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Leonard Abbeduto
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Esbensen AJ, Hoffman EK, Shaffer R, Chen E, Patel L, Jacola L. Reliability of parent report measures of behaviour in children with Down syndrome. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2018; 62:785-797. [PMID: 30022564 PMCID: PMC6074042 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioural problems are common among children with Down syndrome (DS). Tools to detect and evaluate maladaptive behaviours have been developed for typically developing children and have been evaluated for use among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, these measures have not been evaluated for use specifically in children with DS. This psychometric evaluation is important given that some clinically observed behaviours are not addressed in currently available rating scales. The current study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), a commonly used screening tool developed for typically developing children and commonly used with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. METHODS The study investigated the psychometric properties of the CBCL among school-aged children with DS, including an assessment of the rate of detecting behaviour problems, concerns with distribution, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability and convergent and discriminant validity with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form. Caregivers of 88 children with DS aged 6-18 years rated their child's behaviour with the CBCL, Aberrant Behavior Checklist and Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form. Teachers completed the Teacher Report Form. RESULTS About one-third of children with DS were reported to exhibit behaviours of clinical concern on the total score of the CBCL. Internal consistency for CBCL sub-scales was poor to excellent, and inter-rater reliability was generally acceptable. The sub-scales of the CBCL performed best when evaluating convergent validity, with variable discriminant validity. Normative data conversions controlled for age and gender differences in this sample. CONCLUSIONS The study findings suggest that, among children with DS, some CBCL sub-scales generally performed in a psychometrically sound and theoretically appropriate manner in relation to other measures of behaviour. Caution is warranted when interpreting specific sub-scales (Anxious/Depressed, Somatic Complaints and Thought Problems). The CBCL can continue to be used as a screening measure when evaluating behavioural concerns among children with DS, acknowledging poor discriminant validity and the possibility that key behaviour concerns in DS may not be captured by the CBCL screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J. Esbensen
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine
| | | | - Rebecca Shaffer
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine
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Haddad F, Bourke J, Wong K, Leonard H. An investigation of the determinants of quality of life in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197394. [PMID: 29897903 PMCID: PMC5999114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people with Down syndrome experience varying abilities in activities of daily living, cognitive functioning, behaviour and social skills. The aim of this research was to investigate, from a carer's perspective, the factors that influenced the quality of life of these young people. METHODS Families of young people with Down syndrome (n = 197), aged 16-31 years, living in Western Australia, took part in a questionnaire study regarding young person daily functioning, family characteristics, medical background and quality of life measured by the Kidscreen 27-item scale. Kidscreen-10 total score was used as an outcome in the investigation of determinants with higher scores indicating better quality of life. RESULTS After adjustment for confounders including carer's mental health measured by the Depression and Anxiety Scale (DASS), global impact of illness as well as impact of mental health and bowel conditions were all negatively associated with the young person's quality of life. Young people who had three or more friends had better quality of life than those with no friends. Scores were lower (reflecting poor quality of life) in individuals who had more behavioural problems but these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for confounders and DASS. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings revealed that quality of life of young people with Down syndrome was most negatively associated with burden of medical conditions, but also with lack of friendships. We were somewhat surprised to find the effect of medical problems on quality of life persisting into adolescence and adulthood where in general the burden of medical comorbidities is much less than in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Haddad
- University of Western Australia, Perth Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jenny Bourke
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kingsley Wong
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Western Australia, Australia
| | - Helen Leonard
- University of Western Australia, Perth Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Western Australia, Australia
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12
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Xanthopoulos MS, Walega R, Xiao R, Prasad D, Pipan MM, Zemel BS, Berkowitz RI, Magge SN, Kelly A. Caregiver-Reported Quality of Life in Youth with Down Syndrome. J Pediatr 2017; 189:98-104.e1. [PMID: 28751125 PMCID: PMC5614822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.06.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe caregiver-reported quality of life (QOL) in youth with Down syndrome (DS) and to examine the role of obesity on QOL. STUDY DESIGN Caregivers of youth with and without DS aged 10 through 20 years completed questionnaires examining QOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire) and weight-related QOL (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life - Kids). Age- and sex-specific z scores were generated for body mass index. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥95th percentile for age and sex. RESULTS Caregiver-reported Total QOL, Physical Health, and Psychosocial Health summary scores were all lower in the DS group compared with the non-DS controls (P < .001). Social and School Functioning were also lower (P < .001), but Emotional Functioning did not differ between DS and non-DS groups (P = .31). Physical Functioning (P = .003) and Total scores (P = .03) differed between youth without DS with and without obesity, but no differences were reported between youth with DS with and without obesity. On the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life - Kids, caregivers of youth with DS reported greater Body Esteem (P = .020) and Social Life scores (P = .03) than caregivers of non-DS youth. Caregivers of youth with obesity, regardless of DS status, reported significantly lower weight-specific QOL scores than caregivers of youth without obesity. CONCLUSION Caregivers reported lower QOL in youth with DS compared with youth without DS with the exception of emotional functioning. Obesity influences most domains of weight-related QOL in youth with and without DS; therefore, providers should address weight concerns in youth with obesity even in the presence of DS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01821300.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa S Xanthopoulos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
| | - Rachel Walega
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Center for Translational Science, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Biostatistics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Divya Prasad
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mary M Pipan
- Division of Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Babette S Zemel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Robert I Berkowitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sheela N Magge
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Center for Translational Science, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC
| | - Andrea Kelly
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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Fujino H. Psychological Support for Young Adults with Down Syndrome: Dohsa-Hou Program for Maladaptive Behaviors and Internalizing Problems. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1504. [PMID: 28919875 PMCID: PMC5585186 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychological and psychiatric dysfunction is a major problem in a substantial proportion of young adults with Down syndrome. Some patients develop psychiatric issues, such as depressive, obsessive-compulsive, or psychotic-like disorders, in their late adolescence or young adulthood. Furthermore, these individuals may experience moderate to severe emotional and psychological distress. Development of a psychosocial treatment to address these issues is needed in addition to psychotropic medication. The current study reports two cases of young adults with Down syndrome, who presented psychiatric symptoms and marked disruption in their daily lives. These individuals participated in a Dohsa-hou treatment program. Following treatment, adaptive levels, maladaptive behaviors, and internalizing problems were evaluated by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. Participants showed improvement in maladaptive behaviors and internalizing problems; however, improvement in these areas may be influenced by baseline severity of the problems. This case report suggests that Dohsa-hou could be an effective therapeutic approach for maladaptive and internalizing problems in adults with Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruo Fujino
- Department of Special Needs Education, Oita UniversityOita, Japan.,Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka UniversityOsaka, Japan
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