Onset of seizures as a poor indicator of longevity in people with down syndrome and dementia

An association between Down syndrome and dementia of Alzheimer type is well established. This study demonstrates that late onset seizures in people with Down syndrome are a strong indicator of a dementing process. Further, late onset seizures in people with Down syndrome may be used as a prognostic indicator, indicating life expectancy of less than a further 2 years, probable death within 3 years and death almost invariably within 5 years of onset.