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For people with Down syndrome, family members, caregivers and professionals.

Duration: 21 ms, Number of Results: 71

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Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

Author: Ima V. Jonkheer, DO and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Key Points  The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. It is a gland that is in the neck. Thyroid function affects or has an impact on many body functions and, therefore, abnormal thy

Hypertension and Hypotension

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points  The blood pressure of people with Down syndrome tends to be on the lower side. High blood pressure (hypertension) is much less common in people with Down syndrome. Blood pressures

Tremors in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Tremors are repetitive involuntary movements. Tremors can be mild and cause limited disruption or more severe and restricting. There are many causes for tremors. An evaluation by a health p

Reducing Risk of Getting Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Alzheimer's disease is more common in people with Down syndrome. Presently, we do not know how to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease. We may lower the risk of developing Al

Support Groups for Caregivers of Individuals with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Various Organizations - Resource List

Alzheimer’s disease not only impacts the individual with the disease but also the individual’s family, friends, and caregivers. Several organizations provide in-person, online, and

Common Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Decline in a Longitudinal Down Syndrome Cohort

Author: Idris et al. - BJPsych Open (2023)

Abstract Background:  Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and Alzheimer's disease. In the general population, common mental disorders (CMDs), inc

Cardiovascular Youth for Life: Prevalence of Acquired Cardiovascular Diseases in the Adult Population with Down Syndrome

Author: Wang et al. - The American Journal of Cardiology (2023)

The article linked below is a brief report on the prevalence of acquired cardiovascular diseases and risk factor conditions in adults with Down syndrome.  Keywords:  cardiovascular a

Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures or Fake Seizures

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

We periodically get asked questions about “fake seizures.” They have also been called “pseudo-seizures” but are now more accurately called non-epileptic seizure

Getting an EEG Visual

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

This Getting an EEG visual  explains what happens when we have an electroencephalogram (EEG) done. It can help individuals with Down syndrome know what to expect when going for an EEG. Additi

Weight Loss and Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome

Author: Fleming et al. - Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2023)

Abstract Background:  Virtually all adults with Down syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, but research gaps remain in understanding early signs of AD in DS. Objec

Cardiovascular Complications of Down Syndrome: Scoping Review and Expert Consensus

Author: Dimopoulos et al. - Circulation (2023)

Abstract Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with Down syndrome. Congenital heart disease is the most common cardiovascular condition in this group, pre

Agitated or Challenging Behavior in People with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Agitated or challenging behavior can be a symptom that people with Down syndrome (DS) who have Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can have. When it occurs, careful assessment is important. An evaluati

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar or low glucose. Blood sugar or glucose levels can be measured with a blood test. Healthcare providers make the diagnosis of h

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD, and Dennis McGuire, PhD, LCSW - Adult Down Syndrome Center

*This article was adapted from  Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges, 2nd Edition . What is attention-deficit/hyperactivi

Acrocyanosis

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

What is acrocyanosis? Acrocyanosis is the bluish discoloration of the extremities (usually the hands and/or feet) due to decreased oxygen being delivered to those areas. The small blood vessels in the

Diagnostic Overshadowing: "All Is Not Down Syndrome"

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Many families have reported that, when they have told a health care provider about a symptom their loved one with Down syndrome is experiencing, the provider has, in effect, said, “It is jus

Alzheimer's Disease Story

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The stories linked below were developed to help individuals with Down syndrome understand what Alzheimer's disease is and how Alzheimer's disease may affect someone i

Taking My Thyroid Medication Visual

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Several endocrine conditions, including hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), are more common in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Tirosint,

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome Webinar Recording (5/18/2022)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Title:  Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Healthy Aging in People with Down Syndrome Date:  May 18, 2022 Presenter:  Brian Chicoine, MD Host Organization:  

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cerebrovascular Disease, and Amyloid in Older Adults with Down Syndrome Across the Alzheimer's Continuum

Author: Lao et al. - Sleep Advances: A Journal of the Sleep Research Society (2022)

Abstract We determined the extent to which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cerebrovascular disease and amyloid burden, and the relation of the two processes across clinical

Association of Alzheimer Disease with Life Expectancy in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Iulita et al. - JAMA Network Open (2022)

Abstract Importance:  People with Down syndrome have a high risk of developing Alzheimer disease dementia. However, penetrance and age at onset are considered variable, and the association of

Loss of Skills and Alzheimer's Disease

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - "Ask Dr. Chicoine" LuMind IDSC Foundation

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of cognitive impairment and decline in skills that is more common in people with Down syndrome. It is one, but not the only, type of cognitive impairment. In fa

Considering Dignity of Risk in the Care of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Clinical Perspective

Author: Chicoine & Kirschner - Perspectives in Biology and Medicine (2022)

Abstract The dignity of risk implies respect for individuals' right to make their own decisions, to participate in a broad range of desired activities, even if those activities have risk, and

My ECG/EKG

Author: Adult Down Syndrome Center

This visual explains what happens when you get an ECG or EKG.

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