Comparison of the neuropsychological function in adults with Down syndrome with and without Alzheimer disease

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the neuropsychological function of adults with Down syndrome with and without Alzheimer disease. Research method was descriptive. Population of study was adults with Down syndrome that were been keeping in the center of disabled and mentally retarded peoples in Tehran on a full-time basis or were involved in rehabilitative activities on a part-time basis. Using the convenient sampling method, number of 16 adults with Alzheimer disease and number of 16 adults without Alzheimer disease were selected through dementia screening questionnaire for individuals with intellectual disabilities and then for comparing the neuropsychological function of samples, we used the bender-gestalt test and Wechsler intelligence scale for children, fourth edition. We also use the two independent samples t-test for answering the research questions. Results of bender-gestalt test indicated a significant difference between adults with Alzheimer and those without Alzheimer in terms of the frequency of errors. In other word, the frequency of errors in adults with Alzheimer was more than adults without Alzheimer. Results of Wechsler intelligence scale for children indicated no significant difference between adults with Alzheimer and those without Alzheimer in terms of the test factors such as “General ability, cognitive mastery, verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and information processing speed” but there was a significant difference between the two groups in the subtests of Wechsler scale, In other word, non-Alzheimer group’s performance was better than Alzheimer group in the subtests.

Keywords

• down syndrome
• neuropsychological function
• alzheimer disease