Alzheimer’s Disease Progresses Faster In People With Down Syndrome

Nearly all adults with Down syndrome develop evidence of Alzheimer’s disease by late middle age, and their cognitive decline progresses faster than adults without Down syndrome. Many experience cognitive decline by the time they turn 50. With the normal Alzheimer’s disease progression, amyloid builds up, and then five to seven years later, tau builds up. In people with Down syndrome, amyloid and tau buildup happen at the same time.

These findings were reported in “Comparison Of Tau Spread In People With Down Syndrome Versus Autosomal-Dominant Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study” by Julie K Wisch, Ph . . .