Falls and Cognition in Adults Aging with Down Syndrome

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAdults with Down syndrome (DS), who are at risk, will show the neuropathological changes of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) within their 40s, partially due to an overexpression of beta‐amyloid, which accumulates in the brain across their lifespan. The risk of developing AD in adults aging with DS increases with age and is marked by increased confusion, short‐term memory problems, and/or a loss of the ability to complete daily activities. There is limited evidence on the functional changes that happen to adults aging with DS prior to any marked AD symptoms. Growing evidence suggests that functional mobility abnormalities and an increase in falls may precede cognitive impairment and marked AD symptoms. The relationship between falls and cognition in adults with DS has not been thoroughly investigated; and could potentially serve as a less invasive method of assessment.MethodThe purpose of this study is to assess patterns of falls and functional mobility impairments that occur within an adult population aging with DS and their relationship with cognition. The participant receives an initial home visit, conducted by the PI, who completes and collects data on functional performance, fall risk(s), and the environment. The participant agrees to document any fall incidents using a calendar journal, and completes the monthly check‐in calls and/or emails initiated by the study team.ResultWe conducted a correlation analysis with the preliminary data from this cohort of 17 participants, 9 male and 8 female, with a mean age of 38.5 years (SD = 8.81). Increased falls were significantly related (p < .05) to impaired gait speed (r = .528) and balance (r = ‐.624), while cognition (r = .474, p >.05) was not associated with falls. Increased fear of falling assessment scores were correlated with impaired gait speed (r = .687), lower extremity (r = ‐.502) and mean grip strength (r = ‐.492), and balance (r = ‐.596).ConclusionWe demonstrated that (1) participants were willing to enroll; (2) the assessment and monitoring plan were well tolerated; and (3) fear of falling scores and decreased functional mobility were similar in aging adult with DS populations to older adult (≥ 65 years of age) populations.