Longer Lives for Down Syndrome Bring Higher Alzheimer's Risk by Age 40

People with Down syndrome now live longer thanks to better healthcare. This longer lifespan increases their chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which can start affecting them earlier than others. In the past, those with Down syndrome rarely lived past their 30s. Now, many reach their 40s and beyond, an age when dementia-related brain changes often begin for them. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that up to 90% of people with Down syndrome may develop Alzheimer’s in their lifetime. This is much higher than the general population, where women have a 20% risk and men a 10% risk.

Gina El Hassan first spotted warning signs in her brother, Rudolph Vincent Perez, years ago. He has Down syndrome and once loved music and dancing. Now, he sometimes forgets where things belong and has stopped joining activities he used to enjoy. The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices offers support to families facing these challenges. Longer lives for people with Down syndrome mean more may experience Alzheimer’s, but resources are available to help.