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50 years with Down syndrome: A longitudinal study

Carr, Janet, Collins, Suzanne (2018) 50 years with Down syndrome: A longitudinal study. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (5). pp. 743-750. ISSN 1360-2322. (doi:10.1111/jar.12438) (KAR id:66619)

Abstract

Background: A population sample of people with Down syndrome, studied from infancy, has now been followed up at the age of 50 years. From the original sample of

54, there were 27 still in the study at the age of 50, all but four of the losses resulting from deaths.

Methods: Intelligence and language skills were tested and daily living skills assessed. Memory/cognitive deterioration was examined using two test instruments. Other aspects of the people’s lives were examined via carers’ reports.

Results: Scores on verbal tests showed little change. Those on a non-verbal test, on self-help skills and on both memory tests showed some decline, even when the scores of those already suffering from dementia were discounted.

Conclusions: At the age of 50, those not already diagnosed with dementia showed some decline on most tests. While this may include scores of people who subsequently develop dementia, it may also reflect the normal ageing process in this population.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/jar.12438
Uncontrolled keywords: 50 years, ageing, dementia, Down syndrome, longitudinal
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User: Jo Ruffels
Date Deposited: 04 Apr 2018 12:51 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2022 22:41 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/66619 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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