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Brain anatomy and ageing in non-demented adults with Down's syndrome: an in vivo MRI study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2009

F. Beacher ,
E. Daly ,
A. Simmons ,
V. Prasher ,
R. Morris ,
C. Robinson ,
S. Lovestone ,
K. Murphy  and
D. G. M. Murphy
F. Beacher
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
E. Daly
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
A. Simmons
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Neuroimaging Research Group, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
V. Prasher
Affiliation:
Greenfields Monyhull Hospital, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK
R. Morris
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
C. Robinson
Affiliation:
Greenfields Monyhull Hospital, Kings Norton, Birmingham, UK
S. Lovestone
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Departments of Old Age Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
K. Murphy
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
D. G. M. Murphy*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK Section of Brain Maturation, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: D. G. M. Murphy, FRCPsych, M.D., P50, Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, LondonSE5 8AF, UK. (Email: sphadgm@iop.kcl.ac.uk; declan.Murphy@kcl.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Background

People with Down's syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing dementia in middle age. The biological basis for this is unknown. It has been proposed that non-demented adults with DS may undergo accelerated brain ageing.

Method

We used volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and manual tracing to compare brain anatomy and ageing in 39 non-demented adults with DS and 42 healthy controls.

Results

Individuals with DS had significant differences in brain anatomy. Furthermore, individuals with DS had a significantly greater age-related reduction in volume of frontal, temporal and parietal lobes, and a significantly greater age-related increase in volume of peripheral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Conclusions

Non-demented adults with DS have differences in brain anatomy and ‘accelerated’ ageing of some brain regions. This may increase their risk for age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Keywords

AgeingAlzheimer's diseasedementiaDown's syndromemagnetic resonance imaging
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 4 , April 2010 , pp. 611 - 619
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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