September marks World Alzheimer’s Month, a time to raise awareness about a condition that particularly affects our Down syndrome community. People with Down syndrome face a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than the general population – something we all need to understand better.
The statistics are stark. According to the Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS), 70% of adults with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer’s at some point in their lives. Even more concerning, virtually all people with Down syndrome show brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s by age 40.These numbers highlight why we urgently need better ways to understand, diagnose, treat and prevent Alzheimer’s in our community.
Exciting new research is exploring how sleep quality might affect when dementia begins. The Down Syndrome and Sleep Research Network (DSSRN), recently launched by DSRF UK, is investigating these vital connections.
Dr Stephanie Brown from Cambridge University is leading groundbreaking research into how improving sleep could potentially reduce dementia risk for people with Down syndrome. This gives us real hope for practical ways to protect brain health.
Research in this area is moving forward rapidly. Recent studies have explored using sleeping pills to reduce harmful protein buildup that causes Alzheimer’s. Other research has found that women with Down syndrome may be at higher risk than men – pointing to the need for treatments tailored to everyone’s specific needs.
The DSSRN will soon launch a public education blog sharing information about sleep and Down syndrome research. They’re also planning practical workshops for families and carers on improving brain health through better sleep.
Researchers are working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Down Syndrome to raise government awareness and secure funding for this crucial research area.
We hope the upcoming guidance on the Down Syndrome Act will recognise the urgent need for improved health services to tackle Alzheimer’s for people with Down syndrome.
This research gives us hope that we can change these statistics and improve outcomes for our community.
This article is based on content from the Down’s Syndrome Research Foundation. For the full article and more detailed information, read the original piece here.
To learn more about the Down Syndrome and Sleep Research Network or to sign up for their ‘Defeating Dementia in Down Syndrome’ newsletter, email: CIDDRG@medschl.cam.ac.uk