Glucose effects on cognition in adults with Down's syndrome

Author(s): Honn, V. J., Stone, W. S., Jane, J. S., Gold, P. E.

Journal/Book: Neuropsychology. 1998; 12: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 479-484.

Abstract: Glucose enhances memory in a variety of individuals, including people with Alzheimer's disease. By 35 years of age, adults with Down's syndrome (DS) develop the characteristic plaques and tangles found in Alzheimer's disease, despite findings indicating that not all older DS individuals meet criteria for dementia. To examine the possibility that glucose enhances memory in adults with DS (mean age = 35 years, range = 19-55 years), adults with DS were given a battery of tests specifically designed for individuals with DS in glucose and control conditions. No participant met criteria for dementia, regardless of age. Glucose enhanced performance on tests requiring both long-term memory and auditory processing. In addition, increased age was associated with poorer performance on the majority of tests in the control condition, indicating that cognitive decline with aging may be more prevalent in DS than previously believed.

Note: Article Manning CA, Univ Virginia, Hlth Sci Ctr, Dept Neurol, Box 394, Charlottesville,VA 22908 USA

Keyword(s): ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; SENILE DEMENTIA; MEMORY; AGE; ENHANCEMENT; BRAIN; INDIVIDUALS; DECLINE; HUMANS; YOUNG

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