Dramatic Improvement in down Syndrome—Associated Cognitive Impairment with Donepezil

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuro Kondoh ◽  
Nagisa Amamoto ◽  
Tomoki Doi ◽  
Hitomi Hamada ◽  
Yoji Ogawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Progressive Dementia ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Soft Stool

OBJECTIVE: To report 2 cases of patients with Down syndrome and severe cognitive impairment who gained dramatic improvements in quality of life (QOL) upon donepezil treatment. CASE SUMMARIES: Case 1. A 38-year-old woman with Down syndrome, diagnosed with secondary progressive dementia when her mental state had deteriorated rapidly after graduation from junior high school, started donepezil treatment. The loading dose was 3 mg/day and was increased to 5 mg/day for maintenance. One month after the dose was increased, adverse effects such as soft stool and urinary incontinence appeared. These adverse effects disappeared when the dose was decreased again to 3 mg/day. Her QOL improved dramatically with this minimal dose. She recovered verbal and written communication skills that she had lost for the past 21 years. Case 2. A 22-year-old man with Down syndrome, who had been diagnosed as having severe mental retardation, was put on donepezil therapy. Both loading and maintenance doses were 3 mg/day. His QOL had also dramatically improved, with some recovery in verbal communication. Transient agitation/violence and transient muscle weakness appeared during the first few months of treatment. DISCUSSION: Patients with Down syndrome may be more sensitive to donepezil therapy than others and may benefit from this medicine, although they may also have adverse effects more frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Donepezil may be a useful medicine for some patients with Down syndrome with severe cognitive impairment or mental retardation if the adverse effects are manageable.

Donepezil Significantly Improves Abilities in Daily Lives of Female down Syndrome Patients with Severe Cognitive Impairment: A 24-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuro Kondoh ◽  
Atsushi Kanno ◽  
Hiroshi Itoh ◽  
Mikiro Nakashima ◽  
Ryoko Honda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Mental Functions ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment

Objective: Down syndrome (DS) patients share certain neuropathological features with Alzheimer disease patients. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of donepezil, an Alzheimer disease drug, for DS patients. Method: Twenty-one DS patients with severe cognitive impairment were assigned to take donepezil (3 mg daily) or a placebo for 24 weeks, and evaluated for activities in daily lives by concisely modified International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) scaling system. Results: ICF scores significantly increased without any adverse effects in the donepezil group in comparison to those in the placebo control. Among the individual functions tested, there was a dramatic improvement in the global mental functions and in specific mental functions. Conclusions: Donepezil may effectively and safely improve overall functioning of DS patients with severe cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals TMEM240 mutations cause spinocerebellar ataxia 21 with mental retardation and severe cognitive impairment

Brain ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 137 (10) ◽  
pp. 2657-2663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Delplanque ◽  
David Devos ◽  
Vincent Huin ◽  
Alexandre Genet ◽  
Olivier Sand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Spinocerebellar Ataxia ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment

Assessing quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia: feasibility and limitations in patients with severe cognitive impairment

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1687-1695 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Crespo ◽  
Carlos Hornillos ◽  
M. Mar Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment ◽  
People With Dementia

ABSTRACTBackground:The Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QOL-AD) is a reliable and valid self-report measure for assessing quality of life (QoL) in people with dementia in long-term care settings, but little is known yet about the number of patients with severe cognitive impairment who are able to complete this measure, and the characteristics of those unable to do so. The aim of the study is to advance knowledge of these issues.Methods:Data on residents with dementia were collected from 11 nursing homes. The QOL-AD residential version was directly applied to residents with dementia diagnosis and Mini-Mental State Examination scores under 27, randomly selected in each center. Residents’ QoL was further assessed from the perspective of some close relative and some staff member. Altogether, 102 data sets from residents, 184 from relatives, and 197 from staff members were collected. An analysis of the characteristics of completers versus non-completers regarding levels of cognitive impairment was carried out.Results:People with dementia in long-term care are able to report their QoL. The QOL-AD completion rate decreases as the cognitive impairment level increases; non-completion is associated with greater overall impairment. About 30% of residents with severe cognitive impairment could self-report on their QoL with acceptable reliability.Conclusions:QoL self-rating should be the first-line option when assessing residents with severe cognitive impairment. For those that are not able to complete self-report measures, proxies’ report could be an alternative, although the development of other assessment procedures (e.g. observational) should be considered.

Cytoprotective Agents to Avoid Chemotherapy Induced Sideeffects on Normal Cells: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 765-781
Author(s):  
Seema Rohilla ◽  
Harish Dureja ◽  
Vinay Chawla
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Therapeutic Index ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Normal Cells ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Delay In Treatment

Anticancer agents play a vital role in the cure of patients suffering from malignancy. Though, the chemotherapeutic agents are associated with various adverse effects which produce significant toxic symptoms in the patients. But this therapy affects both the malignant and normal cells and leads to constricted therapeutic index of antimalignant drugs which adversely impacts the quality of patients’ life. Due to these adversities, sufficient dose of drug is not delivered to patients leading to delay in treatment or improper treatment. Chemoprotective agents have been developed either to minimize or to mitigate the toxicity allied with chemotherapeutic agents. Without any concession in the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs, they provide organ specific guard to normal tissues.

Analysis of Functional and Cognitive Impairment in Institutionalized Individuals with Movement Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1022-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula D. Cebrián ◽  
Omar Cauli
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Movement Disorders ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Severe Cognitive Impairment

Background: Many neurological disorders lead to institutionalization and can be accompanied in their advanced stages by functional impairment, and progressive loss of mobility, and cognitive alterations. Objective: We analyzed the relationship between functional impairment and cognitive performance and its related subdomains in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease accompanied by motor dysfunction, and with other neurological disorders characterized by both motor and cognitive problems. Methods: All participants lived in nursing homes (Valencia, Spain) and underwent cognitive evaluation with the Mini-Mental State Examination; functional assessment of independence in activities of daily living using the Barthel score and Katz index; and assessment of mobility with the elderly mobility scale. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 82.8 ± 0.6 years, 47% of the sample included individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and 48 % of the sample presented severe cognitive impairment. Direct significant relationships were found between the level of cognitive impairment and functional capacity (p < 0.01) and mobility (p < 0.05). Among the different domains, memory impairment was not associated with altered activities of daily living or mobility. The functional impairment and the risk of severe cognitive impairment were significantly (p<0.05) higher in female compared to male patients. Among comorbidities, overweight/obesity and diabetes were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with poor cognitive performance in those individuals with mild/moderate cognitive impairment. Conclusion: In institutionalized individuals with movement disorders there is an association between functional and cognitive impairment. Reduction of over-weight and proper control of diabetes may represent novel targets for improving cognitive function at such early stages.

scholarly journals Epilepsy in Down Syndrome: A Highly Prevalent Comorbidity

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2776
Author(s):  
Miren Altuna ◽  
Sandra Giménez ◽  
Juan Fortea
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Myoclonic Epilepsy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk for epilepsy during the whole lifespan, but especially after age 40 years. The increase in the number of individuals with DS living into late middle age due to improved health care is resulting in an increase in epilepsy prevalence in this population. However, these epileptic seizures are probably underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This late onset epilepsy is linked to the development of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the main comorbidity in adults with DS with a cumulative incidence of more than 90% of adults by the seventh decade. More than 50% of patients with DS and AD dementia will most likely develop epilepsy, which in this context has a specific clinical presentation in the form of generalized myoclonic epilepsy. This epilepsy, named late onset myoclonic epilepsy (LOMEDS) affects the quality of life, might be associated with worse cognitive and functional outcomes in patients with AD dementia and has an impact on mortality. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of epileptic seizures in the DS population, with a special emphasis on LOMEDS. Raised awareness and a better understanding of epilepsy in DS from families, caregivers and clinicians could enable earlier diagnoses and better treatments for individuals with DS.

scholarly journals Quality of Life: Changes in Self-Perception in People with down Syndrome as a Result of Being Part of a Football/Soccer Team. Self-Reports and External Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Rocío Camacho ◽  
Cristina Castejón-Riber ◽  
Francisco Requena ◽  
Julio Camacho ◽  
Begoña Escribano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Football Team ◽  
Soccer Team

The hypothesis posed was whether being part of a football/soccer team influenced the quality of life (QL) of the people who participated in it since their perception of themselves is enhanced by factors, such as self-determination, social inclusion, emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, rights, personal development, and internal relationships. The objective was to evaluate the QL of people with Down Syndrome (DS) using their self-perception (n = 39) and the perception of the informants (family members, teachers) (n = 39). The KidsLife-Down Scale, with a few modifications, was used. In general, differences of opinion between the subgroups of participants with DS and informants showed that results were higher in terms of perception for participants in the DS subgroup. Scores for all variables were higher for those participants with DS who said they did engage in practicing competitive football/soccer. Although the perception of informants provides a great deal of information regarding the QL of participants with DS, participants with DS should also be involved in the evaluation process and their self-perceptions taken into account. It is not participating in a football team that causes the conclusions of the study, but training (which includes the friendly matches that are played), the cause correlated with the improvements detected in the athlete’s DS.

scholarly journals What’s going on following acute covid-19? Clinical characteristics of patients in an out-patient rehabilitation program

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sergiu Albu ◽  
Nicolas Rivas Zozaya ◽  
Narda Murillo ◽  
Alberto Garcia-Molina ◽  
Cristian Andres Figueroa Chacón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Neuropsychological Impairment ◽  
Outpatient Rehabilitation ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Persistent Symptoms

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients present long-lasting physical and neuropsychological impairment, which may require rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The current cross-sectional study characterizes post COVID-19 sequelae and persistent symptoms in patients in an outpatient rehabilitation program. METHODS: Thirty patients [16 post-ICU and 14 non-ICU; median age = 54(43.8–62) years; 19 men] presenting sequelae and/or persistent symptoms (>3 months after acute COVID-19) were selected of 41 patients referred for neurorehabilitation. Patients underwent physical, neuropsychological and respiratory evaluation and assessment of impact of fatigue and quality of life. RESULTS: The main reasons for referral to rehabilitation were: fatigue (86.6%), dyspnea (66.7%), subjective cognitive impairment (46.7%) and neurological sequelae (33.3%). Post-ICU patient presented sequelae of critical illness myopathy and polyneuropathy, stroke and encephalopathy and lower forced vital capacity compared to non-ICU patients. Cognitive impairment was found in 63.3% of patients, with a similar profile in both sub-groups. Increased physical fatigue, anxiety and depression and low quality of life were prevalent irrespective of acute COVID-19 severity. CONCLUSIONS: The variability of post COVID-19 physical and neuropsychological impairment requires a complex screening process both in ICU and non-ICU patients. The high impact of persistent symptoms on daily life activities and quality of life, regardless of acute infection severity, indicate need for rehabilitation.

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