Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease
Leah McCarvill
Post University Abstract
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease has been studied to see if there is a biological connection. It has been noted that individual’s with Down syndrome commonly have Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The biological evidence found to connect Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease will be discussed. The correlation between the genetics and biological evidence between the general population and the Down Syndrome population have been the object of many studies which have led to the importance of early detection and treatment for individuals with Down Syndrome.
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease has been studied …show more content…
The biological evidence found to connect Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease will be discussed.
Down Syndrome
The genes that carry the codes which are responsible for one’s inherited traits are grouped in long rod-like structures called chromosomes. Most cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One inherits half of the pair of 23 chromosomes from each parent. In individuals born with Down syndrome only a full or partial copy of the chromosome 21. The additional genetic material causes alterations in the course of development. These alteration causes specific characteristics that are associated with Down syndrome. There are several common physical traits of Down syndrome can include; “low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm” (Ndss, 2012). As with many inherited traits not every individual will have all of these traits in the same degree or not at all. There are three types of Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 or nondisjunction which is the result of an embryo having three …show more content…
The evidence of the uncommonly high diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome appears to the main trigger for these studies. This trigger is noted in the study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions “Down syndrome (DS) is associated with an increased rate of Alzheimer's-like dementia, prevalent in up to 55% of individuals in their forties and 77% of age >60 years. Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles consistent with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been identified in nearly all DS adults examined of age >40 years.” (Matthews et al., 2016). The connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease it seems can be found in the exact cause of Down syndrome. It is hypothesized that due to the third copy of chromosome 21 in all cells particularly the amyloid precursor protein (APP) could be part of the connection to Alzheimer’s disease being so prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome even though scientists are not clear on all of the functions of APP. It is noted in an article on the Alzheimer’s Association website “One of the brain’s APP processing pathways produces beta-amyloid, a fragment that’s the chief component of plaques and a prime suspect in Alzheimer’s related brain changes.” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). The third copy of chromosome 21 appears to be the main focus of most
Leah McCarvill
Post University Abstract
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease has been studied to see if there is a biological connection. It has been noted that individual’s with Down syndrome commonly have Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The biological evidence found to connect Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease will be discussed. The correlation between the genetics and biological evidence between the general population and the Down Syndrome population have been the object of many studies which have led to the importance of early detection and treatment for individuals with Down Syndrome.
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease
Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease has been studied …show more content…
The biological evidence found to connect Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease will be discussed.
Down Syndrome
The genes that carry the codes which are responsible for one’s inherited traits are grouped in long rod-like structures called chromosomes. Most cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One inherits half of the pair of 23 chromosomes from each parent. In individuals born with Down syndrome only a full or partial copy of the chromosome 21. The additional genetic material causes alterations in the course of development. These alteration causes specific characteristics that are associated with Down syndrome. There are several common physical traits of Down syndrome can include; “low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm” (Ndss, 2012). As with many inherited traits not every individual will have all of these traits in the same degree or not at all. There are three types of Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 or nondisjunction which is the result of an embryo having three …show more content…
The evidence of the uncommonly high diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with Down syndrome appears to the main trigger for these studies. This trigger is noted in the study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions “Down syndrome (DS) is associated with an increased rate of Alzheimer's-like dementia, prevalent in up to 55% of individuals in their forties and 77% of age >60 years. Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles consistent with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been identified in nearly all DS adults examined of age >40 years.” (Matthews et al., 2016). The connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease it seems can be found in the exact cause of Down syndrome. It is hypothesized that due to the third copy of chromosome 21 in all cells particularly the amyloid precursor protein (APP) could be part of the connection to Alzheimer’s disease being so prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome even though scientists are not clear on all of the functions of APP. It is noted in an article on the Alzheimer’s Association website “One of the brain’s APP processing pathways produces beta-amyloid, a fragment that’s the chief component of plaques and a prime suspect in Alzheimer’s related brain changes.” (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). The third copy of chromosome 21 appears to be the main focus of most