Relating Down Syndrome and Alzheimer. Down Syndrome

Relating Down Syndrome and Alzheimer
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Relating Down Syndrome and Alzheimer
Introduction
The Down’s syndrome (DS) was first identified by Langdon Down in 1866 and described as a major cause of intellectual disability with pre disposal characteristics such as immune deficiency, delayed cognitive development and facial deformities. DS is a genetic disorder that results in an individual having three 21st chromosomes instead of the normal two. Incidences of DS in live births are approximately 1 in every 750 and the condition’s cause is yet to be diagnosed. The terms dementia or Alzheimer are used interchangeably although there are distinct differences. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease which is a common cause of dementia and accounts for between 60 to 80 % of dementia cases characteristic of two brain structures called tangles which are twisted protein fibers that build up inside cells and plaques which are deposits of protein fragments that kill nerves. The abilities of people suffering from DS vary and each individual has unique attributes. Improvements in healthcare have greatly increased the life expectancy for individuals with DS despite the fact that they remain predisposed to medical conditions which in any case do not influence their development. As adults with DS age, the risk of developing clinical symptoms Alzheimer’s disease increases by up to 75%. The prevalence for dementia related morbidities keeps increasing and are influenced by various genetic and environmental factors.
Down Syndrome
DS is also known as trisomy 21, and is a condition where an individual is born with an extra chromosome 21 genetic material and end up having three copies instead of two. The extra copy is as a result of an error in cell division during conception. Human chromosomes constitute over 30,000 genes which represent the human body’s biological faculties and are responsible the manufacture of proteins which is responsible for building the body structure (Wiseman et al., 2015). The extra genetic material is responsible for the health and developmental problems which end up affecting other body.
With age, people with Down syndrome are exposed to more health risk of developing dementia, which is a form of Alzheimer’s disease. At the age of 40 most individuals experiencing DS show indications of beta-amyloids which are protein deposits that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this being the case, not everyone with DS develops Alzheimer’s disease and this is a major research question (Roizen, 2001).
The prevalence of DS increases with advancement in age being a contributing factor to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Most people suffering from DS aged 65 and above have high chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease. The risk and causal factors for DS are related to the presence of extra genes. A chromosome 21 gene that is considered an important factor is Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), which scientists are yet to discover its function. One pathway in the brain that processes APP produces beta-amyloid, which is a key constituent of plaques and is responsible for brain changes related to Alzheimer’s as the extra copy of beta-amyloid triggers a chain of biological processes that culminate in the condition (Wiseman et al., 2015). Two mechanisms that are used to predispose APP for Alzheimer’s include the extra copy of genes and the minor changes in the gene’s chemical composition.
Down syndrome’s early symptoms include lack of interest in socializing, and low enthusiasm for normal activities, being easily irritable and aggressive, lack of attention and anxiety, seizures and lack of coordination, restlessness and excitability (Roizen, 2001).. The diagnosis for persons suffering from DS is difficult because it involves thorough investigations into thinking skill changes in persons with intellectual capabilities.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, which comprises symptoms related to memory decline and other thinking capacities which end up reducing a person’s ability to carry out daily activities (Lott & Head, 2005). Alzheimer’s disease causes a decline in an individual’s level of ability and its symptoms develop slowly and keep getting worse over time.
Early warning signs of dementia include memory loss that is disruptive to their lives, challenges in planning for activities that require a sequence of procedures, challenges in completing simple tasks, confusion on places and time , difficulties in figuring out visual images and navigating familiar spaces or manipulating common objects, difficulty in expressing themselves in language skills, poor judgment and safety awareness, withdrawal from activities due to anxiety, stress or confusion, and a change in emotions such as showing anxiety, paranoia and depression.
The relationship between DS and Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by damaged brain cells caused by accumulation of protein substances that disrupt normal health and signaling of brain cells which lead to gradual failure of the brain function. These proteins are commonly referred to as plaques and tangles. In DS, individuals have a copy of trisomy 21 which carries the genes for production of the protein that is produced in excess in Alzheimer’s disease and eventually leading to the buildup of beta- amyloid (Wang et al., 2016). People with DS have excess production of this protein which is responsible for brain damage. Chromosome 21 is associated with increasing the risk of dementia within adults suffering from DS.
Most individuals suffering from DS are prone to develop Alzheimer’s disease as they grow older, while others may live without exhibiting outward characteristics of dementia. Estimates of people with Alzheimer’s disease who already have the Down syndrome in their fifties account for 30% while the risk increases with advancement in age. The diagnosis of dementia must be approached with a lot of care after conducting though medical investigation (Roizen, 2001). Noticeable changes in individuals acting in an unusual manner should be considered carefully because there are many related symptoms exhibited by common medical conditions which if not taken seriously can cause confusion to healthcare providers and caregivers as most symptoms are similar to those exhibited in Alzheimer’s disease.
Once diagnosed from the age of 30, individuals with DS are encouraged to conduct regular tests to ascertain their cognitive and functional abilities in a bid to rule out other conditions which exhibit similar symptoms (Zigman et al., 1996).
A person who has been diagnosed with dementia exhibits symptoms such as depression, thyroid problems, trauma, infections, and sensory issues among others. Unlike in these indications where tools used for diagnosis are applicable universally among the genera...