Neuropsychological Assessments Of Dementia In Down Syndrome And Intellectual Disabilities

This book reviews important neuropsychological measures currently used in the assessment of dementia by the principal clinicians and researchers associated with the test, offering practical guidance on each test along with an analysis of its limitations.

This fully updated and expanded second edition of a successful book reviews the most important neuropsychological measures currently used in the assessment of dementia by the principal clinicians and researchers associated with the tests. Several clinicians and research workers, who have been at the forefront in developing the tests in question, provide clear practical guidance on the scope of each test, use in research, as well as an analysis of their accuracy and limitations. The international contributors have brought together a concise and practical guide on the role of neuropsychological testing to support the dementia assessment. Neuropsychological Assessments of Dementia in Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disabilities, Second Edition is an essential reference for all those working in the field of dementia and intellectual disabilities.

The basic aim of this book is to help carers and professionals living or working with adults with intellectual disability to understand further Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

CAMDEX-DS is a comprehensive assessment tool for diagnosing dementia in people with Down's syndrome (a group known to be at particular risk of dementia). Based upon CAMDEX-R, CAMDEX-DS has been modified for use with intellectual disability. In order to differentiate decline due to dementia or other mental disorders from pre-existing impairment, particular emphasis has been placed on establishing change from the individual's best level of functioning. The pack is comprised of a structured informant interview, a direct assessment of the patient/participant (CAMCOG), and guidance for diagnosis and post-diagnosis intervention, providing a reliable way to identify dementia (and to differentiate it from other common disorders). It may be used in community settings by mental health professionals as part of the diagnostic process, or to formalize diagnosis in the context of research. Use of the CAMCOG provides the means for ongoing neuropsychological evaluation and informs future support and intervention strategies.

Research on the multiple aspects of cognitive impairment in Down syndrome (DS), from genes to behavior to treatment, has made tremendous progress in the last decade. The study of congenital intellectual disabilities such as DS is challenging since they originate from the earliest stages of development and both the acquisition of cognitive skills and neurodegenerative pathologies are cumulative. Comorbidities such as cardiac malformations, sleep apnea, diabetes and dementia are frequent in the DS population, as well, and their increased risk provides a means of assessing early stages of these pathologies that is relevant to the general population. Notably, persons with DS will develop the histopathology of Alzheimer’s disease (formation of neuritic plaques and tangles) and are at high risk for dementia, something that cannot be predicted in the population at large. Identification of the gene encoding the amyloid precursor protein, its localization to chromosome 21 in the 90’s and realization that all persons with DS develop pathology identified this as an important piece of the amyloid cascade hypothesis in Alzheimer’s disease. Awareness of the potential role of people with DS in understanding progression and treatment as well as identification of genetic risk factors and also protective factors for AD is reawakening. For the first time since DS was recognized, major pharmaceutical companies have entered the search for ameliorative treatments, and phase II clinical trials to improve learning and memory are in progress. Enriched environment, brain stimulation and alternative therapies are being tested while clinical assessment is improving, thus increasing the chances of success for therapeutic interventions. Researchers and clinicians are actively pursuing the possibility of prenatal treatments for many conditions, an area with a huge potential impact for developmental disorders such as DS. Our goal here is to present an overview of recent advances with an emphasis on behavioral and cognitive deficits and how these issues change through life in DS. The relevance of comorbidities to the end phenotypes described and relevance of pharmacological targets and possible treatments will be considerations throughout.

Reviews the latest evidence on the psychiatric disorders and behavioral problems of those with coexisting intellectual and developmental disorders.

This book brings together findings from research and clinical practice, with comprehensive coverage of the important aspects of mental health in ageing persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is crucial for professionals involved in the care of persons with all intellectual and developmental disabilities to have a broad understanding of the essential range of issues, and therefore this book provides a truly multi-disciplinary perspective, complete with many figures and illustrations to underline the key points. Undoubtedly, research and clinical practice are much more advanced in the general ageing population than in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so professionals and academics must be made fully aware of commonalities and idiosyncrasies of older people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This book presents the ongoing developments concerning mental health and aging, which will become relevant to the intellectually disabled population. Through experience, this book also acknowledges that the impact on the persons themselves and on their carers always needs to be taken into account, with treatment programs established with a multi-faceted team approach in mind. Avoiding the jargon of many titles in this area while maintaining the hands-on approach of clinical practice, this book meshes the practical and scientific worlds, with all chapters written by leading experts in the field. Beyond the US, the IASSIDD support expands the book message worldwide.

This handbook helps professionals working with adults withintellectual disabilities to establish the needs of individualsthrough systematic assessment and to monitor and evaluate theeffectiveness of the service they provide. A comprehensive handbook for professionals working with adultswith intellectual disabilities. Enables these professionals to establish the needs ofindividuals Helps them to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of theservice they provide. Expert contributions include conceptual chapters anddescriptions of selected assessment instruments. Covers the full spectrum of need, including adults with mentalhealth difficulties, behavioural problems, forensic needs andassessment of people with profound intellectual and multipledisabilities, and those suspected of developing dementia.