Decline in Adults with an Intellectual and Developmental Disability: Concerns for Dementia

Presenter: Seth M. Keller, MD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

All live Q&A events are held via Zoom from 1:00-2:00 ET / 12:00-1:00 CT / 11:00-12:00 MT / 10:00-11:00 PT.

Description: Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are living longer than ever before. Decline in functionality is very common as we age and the concerns for cognitive decline also increase as we get older. The presentation will review the history of IDD and an overall discussion will be provided in helping to understand age related decline versus concerns for pathologic aging conditions including dementia. Issues specific to Early Onset Alzheimer’s in those with Down syndrome will be particularly described. The ability to access and diagnosis dementia will be reviewed. Specific treatment and care practices will be examined.

Objectives:

1. Describe how a life story can help in providing information in documenting if decline in function has occurred
2. Identify what a biomarker is 
3. Explain how to support a caregiver who is caring for someone with dementia
4. Analyze why the current antiamyloid medications that have come out for Alzheimer’s disease may not yet be ready for those also with Down syndrome

Seth M. Keller, MD, a board-certified neurologist in private practice with Neurology Associates of South Jersey. He specializes in the evaluation and care of adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) with neurologic complications. Dr Keller is on the Executive Board of the Arc of Burlington County as well as on the board for The Arc of New Jersey Mainstreaming Medical Care Board.   Dr Keller is the Past President of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD). Dr Keller is the co-president of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG). Dr. Keller is also the founder and past chair of the Adult IDD Section with the American Academy of Neurology.  He is actively involved in national and international I/DD health education as a speaker and webinar and workshop participant. He is a co- author on a number of articles and book chapters relating to aging and dementia in those with IDD. Raised in Philadelphia, PA, Keller received his bachelor’s degree from Temple University, earned his medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine in 1989, and completed his neurology internship and residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He also served as a neurologist at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan.