Language skills as a predictor of cognitive decline in adults with Down syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by a progressive decline in multiple cognitive domains including language, which can impact social interactions, behavior, and quality of life. This cross‐sectional study examined the relationship between language skills and dementia. Methods A total of 168 adults with DS (mean age = 51.4 years) received neuropsychological assessments, including Vineland Communication Domain, McCarthy Verbal Fluency, and Boston Naming Test, and were categorized in one of three clinical groups: cognitively stable (CS, 57.8%); mild cognitive impairment (MCI‐DS, 22.6%); and probable/definite dementia (AD‐DS, 19.6%). Logistic regression was used to determine how well language measures predict group status. Results Vineland Communication, particularly receptive language, was a significant predictor of MCI‐DS. Semantic verbal fluency was the strongest predictor of AD‐DS. Discussion Assessment of language skills can aid in the identification of dementia in adults with DS. Clinically, indications of emerging language problems should warrant further evaluation and monitoring.

Keywords

• Alzheimer's disease
• Down syndrome
• language skills
• mild cognitive impairment
• semantic verbal fluency