The neglected puzzle of dementia in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities: A systematic literature review of observable symptoms

Dementia is increasingly prevalent in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. However, early detection and diagnosis of dementia is complex in this population. This study aimed to identify observable dementia symptoms in adults with severe/profound intellectual disabilities in available literature.
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science with an exhaustive search string using a combination of search terms for severe/profound intellectual disabilities and dementia/ageing. Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Cognitive decline, behavioral and psychological alterations, decline in activities of daily living as well as neurological and physical changes were found. Only a very limited number of studies reported symptoms ascribed to dementia in adults with severe/profound intellectual disabilities. Given the complexity of signalling and diagnosing dementia, dedicated studies are required to unravel the natural history of dementia in this population.

Source: Wissing MBG, Ulgiati AM, Hobbelen JSM, De Deyn PP, Waninge A, Dekker AD. The neglected puzzle of dementia in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities: A systematic literature review of observable symptoms. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2022 Jan;35(1):24-45. doi: 10.1111/jar.12920. Epub 2021 Jul 4. PMID: 34219327; PMCID: PMC9292142.