Studies have shown that the gene for Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to chromosome 21, the chromosome of which individuals with Down syndrome have an extra copy. Though the evidence is not concrete, there is reason to believe that individuals with Down syndrome are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Thus, it is important that these individuals have equitable access to the proper treatment for Alzheimer’s, cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil (Aricept).

The Impact of a Duplicate of Chromosome 21 on Memory

Among individuals with Down syndrome...
- Around 30% have congenital heart defects, the most common being an incomplete separation of the heart chambers (known as atrioventricular septal defect)
- About 5-10% have seizures
- Gastrointestinal defects
- Compromised immune systems
- Obesity
- Lowered average life expectancy - death, on average, occurs by age 50
- Most get Alzheimer’s Disease by around age 35-40

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

As a result of atypical chromosomal composition, the characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome present in many aspects of their development, both physical and cognitive. Individuals with Down syndrome are characterized by…
 - Physical characteristics of Down syndrome
 - Cognitive characteristics of Down syndrome
- Developmental characteristics of Down syndrome
- Comorbidities of Down syndrome


Characteristics of Down syndrome

Sontheimer, H. (2015). Diseases of the Nervous System. Academic Press. 

Diseases of the Nervous System 

Mazurek, D., & Wyka, J. (2015). Down syndrome--genetic and nutritional aspects of accompanying disorders. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny, 66(3), 189–194.

Down syndrome--genetic and nutritional aspects of accompanying disorders

Decreased mental capacity

- In addition to having a low to normal IQ, people with Down Syndrome have issues with hippocampal processes, such as explicit long-term and verbal short term memory. Implicit procedural long-term memory is unaffected in Down Syndrome persons.

Cognitive characteristics of Down syndrome

Persons with Down Syndrome have specific anatomical features:

 - Round head
- Flattened face
- Poorly developed nasal ridge
- Enlarged tongue
- Small, broad hands with short fingers
- Stunted growth

Physical characteristics of Down syndrome

Developmental delays

- Individuals with Down syndrome typically learn to walk around 3-4 years of age 
- Around 90% of kids with Down syndrome talk by age 5

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