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A Comparison of the Behavioural and Emotional Characteristics of Alzheimer's Dementia in Individuals with and without Down Syndrome*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2010

Valerie Temple  and
M. Mary Konstantareas
Valerie Temple*
Affiliation:
Surrey Place Centre
M. Mary Konstantareas
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
*
Requests for offprints should be sent to: / Les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être addressées à : Valerie Temple, Ph.D., Surrey Place Centre, 2 Surrey Place, Toronto, ON M5S 2C2. ([email protected])
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Abstract

The behavioural and emotional changes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are compared for individuals with Down syndrome and AD and individuals with AD from the general population (AD-only). The primary caregivers of 30 people with Down syndrome and AD and 30 people with AD-only completed the BEHAVE-AD and the Apathy subscale of the CERAD. As well, behavioural observations at adult day programs were undertaken with selected participants (n = 26). The Down syndrome group experienced fewer delusions and had lower total scores on the BEHAVE-AD, indicating fewer problem behaviours overall. Day program observations suggested that the AD-only group were more likely to be sedentary and observe the activities of others, while the Down syndrome group were more physically active. Improving our understanding of the similarities and differences between these two groups may help facilitate the integration of individuals with Down syndrome into adult day programs for the general population.

Résumé

Les changements émotifs et comportementaux liés à la maladie d'Alzheimer (MA) sont comparés selon s'il s'agit de personnes atteintes de trisomie 21 et de la MA ou de personnes atteintes de la MA dans la population en général (MA seulement). Les principaux soignants de 30 personnes atteintes de trisomie 21 et de la MA ainsi que de 30 personnes souffrant uniquement de la MA ont utilisé le test BEHAVE-AD ainsi que la sous-échelle de l'apathie élaborée par le CERAD. En outre, une observation du comportement de certains participants sélectionnés (n = 26) a été entreprise dans des programmes de centres de jour. Le groupe atteint de trisomie 21 a éprouvé moins d'illusions sensorielles et a obtenu un score total moins élevé sur l'échelle BEHAVE-AD, ce qui révèle qu'ils avaient, dans l'ensemble, moins de problèmes de comportement. Les observations menées pendant le programme des centres de jour semblent révéler que les membres du groupe atteint uniquement de la MA avaient davantage tendance à être sédentaires et à observer les activités des autres, tandis que le groupe de personnes atteintes de trisomie 21 était plus actifs physiquement. En améliorant notre compréhension des similitudes et des différences entre ces deux groupes, nous pourrions contribuer à faciliter l'intégration des personnes atteintes de trisomie 21 dans les programmes des centres de jour destinés aux adultes de la population en général.

Keywords

Alzheimer's diseasemaladaptive behaviourDown syndromeagingmaladie d'Alzheimercomportement mésadaptétrisomie 21
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , Summer/Été 2005 , pp. 179 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2005

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Footnotes

*

This research project was supported by a Doctoral Training Award from the Alzheimer Society of Canada and a research grant from the Surrey Place Centre Foundation.

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