Logo image
Back
Anticholinergics, executive function, and cognitive/behavioral changes in Down syndrome
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Anticholinergics, executive function, and cognitive/behavioral changes in Down syndrome

Nancy Raitano Lee, Goldie A McQuaid, Haila Jiddou, Jessica McNulty, Hannah E Grosman, Kamaria T Tucker, Meghan O'Brien and Gregory L Wallace
Alzheimer's & dementia, v 21(10), e70649
Oct 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70649
PMID: 41078246
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70649View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open

Abstract

Adolescent Adult Cholinergic Antagonists - adverse effects Cholinergic Antagonists - therapeutic use Cognition - drug effects Cognitive Dysfunction - chemically induced Down Syndrome - complications Down Syndrome - drug therapy Down Syndrome - psychology Executive Function - drug effects Female Humans Male Neuropsychological Tests Risk Factors Young Adult
Anticholinergic (AC) medication use is considered a risk factor for cognitive impairment and deterioration in the general population; yet, this has not been examined in Down syndrome (DS), a disorder with high dementia rates. Family members of 108 young adults with DS (18-39 years) reported on their loved one's medication use, executive function, and changes in cognition and behavior using a dementia screener. Medications were coded for their AC potency using the CRIDECO Anticholinergic Load Scale (CALS). Forty percent of the sample was taking at least one medication with a CALS AC potency of ≥1. These individuals were reported to have greater executive function difficulties and more changes in cognition/behavior relative to those not taking AC medications. AC medication use may represent a modifiable risk factor for cognitive deterioration in adults with DS; more research on this topic, particularly with older adults with DS, is needed. Identifying modifiable risk factors for dementia in Down syndrome (DS) is critical. A risk factor studied in the general population is anticholinergic (AC) medication. This risk factor has not been studied in DS, a high-risk group. AC medication use was associated with everyday cognitive challenges in young adults with DS. Longitudinal studies across adulthood, including older adults with DS, are needed.

Metrics

9 Record Views

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Logo image