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Cognitive deficits and associated neurological complications in individuals with Down's syndrome
Lott IT, Dierssen M.. The Lancet. Neurology, 2010-06-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Improvements in medical interventions for people with Down's syndrome have led to a substantial increase in their longevity. Diagnosis and treatment of neurological complications are important in maintaining optimal cognitive functioning. The cognitive phenotype in Down's syndrome is characterised by impairments in morphosyntax, verbal short-term memory, and explicit long-term memory. However, visuospatial short-term memory, associative learning, and implicit long-term memory functions are preserved. Seizures are associated with cognitive decline and seem to cause additional decline in cognitive functioning, particularly in people with Down's syndrome and comorbid disorders such as autism. Vision and hearing disorders as well as hypothyroidism can negatively impact cognitive functioning in people with Down's syndrome. Dementia that resembles Alzheimer's disease is common in adults with Down's syndrome. Early-onset dementia in adults with Down's syndrome does not seem to be associated with atherosclerotic complications.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Lott, I. T., & Dierssen, M. (2010). Cognitive deficits and associated neurological complications in individuals with Down's syndrome. The Lancet. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(10)70112-5
Vancouver
Lott IT, Dierssen M. Cognitive deficits and associated neurological complications in individuals with Down's syndrome. The Lancet. Neurology. 2010. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(10)70112-5. PMID: 20494326.
BibTeX
@article{lott2010-20494326,
author = {Lott, I. T. and Dierssen, M.},
title = {{Cognitive deficits and associated neurological complications in individuals with Down's syndrome}},
journal = {The Lancet. Neurology},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1016/s1474-4422(10)70112-5},
pmid = {20494326},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/s1474-4422(10)70112-5}
}
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Key findings
- Seizures are associated with cognitive decline and seem to cause additional decline in cognitive functioning, particularly in people with Down's syndrome and comorbid disorders such as autism.
- Early-onset dementia in adults with Down's syndrome does not seem to be associated with atherosclerotic complications.
Why it matters
This review describes cognitive features and neurological complications in people with Down's syndrome, noting that dementia resembling Alzheimer's disease is common in adults with the condition. It covers diagnosis and management of complications, not a treatment or cure for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 53/100
Published in a leading specialty journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (The Lancet. Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | The Lancet Neurology: journal h-index 457 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2010 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 487 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 27.1 citations a year over 18 year(s) since 2010 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 26.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 4 / 6 | Cited by 30 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 86 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Mara Dierssen: h-index 61 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of California, Irvine: institution h-index 1,195 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20494326) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 53 / 100 | — |
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