Drug Treatment of Depression Associated with Dementia or Presented as ‘Pseudodementia’ in Older Adults with Down Syndrome

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Abstract
The response to antidepressant drugs, mainly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), was evaluated in adults with intellectual disability (ID) and Down syndrome (DS) who presented with depression and decline in activities of daily living (ADL) skills. Among other patients with ID referred to a specialised clinic for diagnostic work‐up, 37 adults with DS over the age of 40 and a mean age of 51.4 years were evaluated and 34 were followed‐up.Depression associated with dementia was diagnosed in 16 cases, and depression presented as functional decline ‘pseudodementia’ was found in four cases.Recommendations for treatment with antidepressants were followed in 10 cases with a marked improvement in functioning compared to a rapid decline in the 10 cases where treatment was refused.Treatment with the SSRIs antidepressant drugs resulted in improved quality of life, differentiated ‘pseudodementia’ from dementia, and possibly delayed the dementing process in adults with DS and presentation of depression associated with dementia.

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