Alzheimer's - Down Syndrome Message Board

slowery · 03-29-2001, 11:37 AM

I know there is connection between Alzherimer's and Down's Syndrome. Many people with DS may develop Alzheimer's because their bodies seem to age faster. Does anyone know if family members of a person with DS are more prone to Alzheimer's?

Meghan · 04-10-2001, 11:57 AM

Hi there, I really don't have the answers for you but my husbands mothers side of the family has alzheimers with the grandmother and a few of her brothers and sisters. I don't know if there is a correlation but it seems there could be a good possibility of it. Meghan

Evesmother · 05-21-2001, 08:16 AM

I believe they found the Alzheimer gene is on the 21st chromosome also.... and since the majority of the people with Down syndrome have the Trisomy 21 type..? However, since we know the medical establishment aren't the brightest bulbs in the lamp, there has been a lot of misdiagnoses with people who are mentally-retarded. One needs to have specialists who don't have preconceived and out-dated views of Down syndrome and who will use all the scientific tools at their disposal... and also ones who know how to communicate with our children!

Tifferbelle · 05-23-2001, 03:06 PM

I have recently heard of a connection between Alzheimers type of disorers and hypothyroidism. A friend's mother who was thought to have Alzheimers recently passed away and the autopsy showed that she didn't actually have Alzheimers but a similar disorder. Nodules on her brain were consistent with low thyroid. Since many individuals with DS have hypothyroid maybe that is the connection. We have our daughter's thyroid checked regularly and so far so good. But I wouldn't be surprised if she develops a problem eventually as I have low thyroid myself.