Cognitive indicators of transition to preclinical and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome.

Introduction: There is a critical need to identify measures of cognitive functioning sensitive to early Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology in Down syndrome to advance clinical trial research in this at-risk population. The objective of the study was to longitudinally track performance on cognitive measures in relation to neocortical and striatal amyloid beta (Aβ) in non-demented Down syndrome.

Methods: The study included 118 non-demented adults with Down syndrome who participated in two to five points of data collection, spanning 1.

Alzheimer-Like Pattern of Hypometabolism Emerges with Elevated Amyloid-β Burden in Down Syndrome.

Background: The Down syndrome (DS) population is genetically predisposed to amyloid-β protein precursor overproduction and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: The temporal ordering and spatial association between amyloid-β, glucose metabolism, and gray matter (GM) volume in the DS population can provide insight into those associations in the more common sporadic AD.

Methods: Twenty-four adults (13 male, 11 female; 39±7 years) with DS underwent [11C]PiB, [18F]FDG, and volumetric MRI scans.

Cognitive decline and brain amyloid-β accumulation across 3 years in adults with Down syndrome.

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) have a high incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), providing a unique opportunity to explore the early, preclinical stages of AD neuropathology. We examined change in brain amyloid-β accumulation via the positron emission tomography tracer [11C] Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) across 2 data collection cycles, spaced 3 years apart, and decline in cognitive functioning in 58 adults with DS without clinical AD. PiB retention increased in the anterior cingulate gyrus, precuneus cortex, parietal cortex, and anterior ventral striatum.

Longitudinal changes in amyloid positron emission tomography and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in the nondemented Down syndrome population.

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) arises from a triplication of chromosome 21, causing overproduction of the amyloid precursor protein and predisposes individuals to early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Fifty-two nondemented adults with DS underwent two cycles of carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh compound B ([C]PiB) and T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans 3.0 ± 0.

Leisure Activity and Caregiver Involvement in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Down Syndrome.

The present study examined leisure activity and its association with caregiver involvement (i.e., residence and time spent with primary caregiver) in 62 middle-aged and older adults with Down syndrome (aged 30-53 years).