From the moment a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is received, we know that caregivers embark on a difficult and complex path, and they will need to activate a variety of both internal and external resources to cope with the disease. At the Alzheimer Down Unit, in addition to providing medical care to our patients, we … Read more
What is the relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease? Individuals with Down syndrome have a 90% risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease during their lifetime, and this is related to the presence of the amyloid precursor protein gene, located on chromosome 21, which is triplicated in people with Down syndrome. What are the cognitive symptoms … Read more
What does the health plan of the Alzheimer Down Unit consist of? Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome is not easy, as the early symptoms can be attributed to the disability itself, and because adapted diagnostic tools are needed they are not always available. The Alzheimer Down Unit, composed of a team of … Read more
In parallel with the care plan, the Alzheimer Down Unit developed a research program, the “Down Alzheimer Barcelona Neuroimaging Initiative” (DABNI), with the aim of studying the natural history of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome. It is an intensive study of biomarkers (a biomarker is a biological indicator that can be measured and … Read more
On World Alzheimer’s Day, the aim is to raise awareness about this incurable neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects elderly individuals. However, this year, Hospital de Sant Pau has shifted its attention to a particularly vulnerable group: individuals with Down syndrome. Alzheimer’s is characterized by cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances, with recent memory loss being one … Read more
Cross-sectional versus longitudinal cognitive assessments for the diagnosis of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome Individuals with Down syndrome are at a high risk of developing the clinical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in old age due to the triplicating of chromosome 21. However, the clinical diagnosis of this disease is challenging, mainly due … Read more