Patterns of ageing in 30-35-year-olds with Down's syndrome

Background A population sample with Down's syndrome has been studied repeatedly since infancy, and has now been followed up again at age 35 years. Methods Intelligence, language, reading and arithmetic were tested and daily living skills were assessed. Two memory tests, the Rivermead Behaviour Memory Test and Oliver and Crayton's Dementia Battery were given at age 30 years and again at age 35 years. Results Results from all the tests used showed little change from those found at 21 and/or 30 years. Small, statistically insignificant, increases in mean scores were found in reading and on the British Picture Vocabulary Scale. Means of all other measures had declined, also by small and statistically insignificant amounts. Apart from one individual, who showed dramatic declines in all areas, the rest of the cohort has continued to be stable. Conclusions These results may be characteristic of healthy adults with Down's syndrome in the fourth decade of life.