The Alzheimer-Down Unit at Hospital de Sant Pau is a center specializing in the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, combining clinical care, research, and support for families.
This pioneering multidisciplinary unit, established in December 2014, is a global leader in its field. It is staffed by experts in neurology, neuropsychology, nursing, and social work, and conducts extensive research aimed at improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in this population.
The unit is recognized by the Government of Catalonia and serves as the reference center in Catalonia for neurological conditions associated with Down syndrome.
Our goal is to provide comprehensive, personalized, and tailored care, as well as to conduct population-based screening for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, while also contributing to scientific advancement through research.
Why is a specialized unit necessary?
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased exponentially in recent decades and now exceeds 65 years. This significant advance has given rise to new medical problems associated with aging, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.
Down syndrome is considered a genetically determined form of Alzheimer’s disease due to the extra copy of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene located on chromosome 21.
For this reason, Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome has become the primary medical issue at this stage of life, making it essential to have specialized units capable of providing early diagnosis, appropriate follow-up, and care tailored to the needs of these individuals and their families.
What do we do?
Our activity is based on three fundamental pillars:
Health plan ↗
- Assessment and diagnosis of cognitive impairment
- Individualized clinical follow-up
Caregiver Support ↗
- Guidance after Diagnosis
- Support throughout the course of the disease
- Counseling and social resources