The proposed study examines the impact of environmental influences, such as family factors and major life transitions, on the aging of adults with Down syndrome (DS) across a 21-year time span (1988-2009) by collecting additional data from a sample that was studied from 1988 to 2000. The investigators propose to delineate, in Specific Aim 1, the association of characteristics of the prior family environment (1988-2000) on later life outcomes (2009) of health, functional abilities, and behavior problems among adults with DS;
in Specific Aim 2, the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of major life transitions as experienced by adults with DS over a 21-year period (from 1988-2009), and in Specific Aim 3, the implementation and impact of future planning for aging adults with DS. Given that individuals with DS can now enjoy substantially longer life expectancies as compared to a few decades ago, and there is evidence of heterogeneity in aging among adults with DS, there is a need to understand the factors that contribute to this heterogeneity in aging. The proposed study builds from a project of 461 co-residing families of adults with intellectual disability, conducted by Drs. Marsha Seltzer and Marty Krauss (R01AG08768), which included 169 families of adults with DS, of whom 126 are still alive. As a result, the investigators are in a unique position to examine the association of the family environment with the aging of adults with DS. The surviving adults with DS are now age 35-68, and are the focus of this proposed study. Respondents will be recruited from families that previously participated in the study, and will participate in home interviews and complete self-administered measures. The 21-year time span of the proposed study will make it possible to elucidate environmental influences on the functioning of adults with DS in midlife and the early years of old age. NARRATIVE: This project will provide important data over a 21-year time span (1988-2009) regarding the aging of adults with Down syndrome, as well as yielding insights into the impact of environmental influences on their aging. Such data are particularly timely in light of recent initiatives to promote longitudinal research across the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome, and to understand environmental determinants of functioning in Down syndrome throughout the lifespan.

Public Health Relevance

This project will provide important data over a 21-year time span (1988-2009) regarding the aging of adults with Down syndrome, as well as yielding insights into the impact of environmental influences on their aging. Such data are particularly timely in light of recent initiatives to promote longitudinal research across the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome and to understand environmental determinants of functioning in Down syndrome throughout the lifespan.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03HD059848-03
Application #
7923131
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-MRG-C (EA))
Program Officer
Oster-Granite, Mary Lou
Project Start
2009-09-02
Project End
2012-08-31
Budget Start
2010-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$73,511
Indirect Cost
Name
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
071284913
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45229
Esbensen, Anna J; Johnson, Emily Boshkoff; Amaral, Joseph L et al. (2016) Differentiating Aging Among Adults With Down Syndrome and Comorbid Dementia or Psychopathology. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 121:13-24
Esbensen, A J (2016) Sleep problems and associated comorbidities among adults with Down syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Res 60:68-79
Woodman, Ashley C; Mailick, Marsha R; Anderson, Kristy A et al. (2014) Residential transitions among adults with intellectual disability across 20 years. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 119:496-515
Esbensen, Anna J; Mailick, Marsha R; Silverman, Wayne (2013) Long-term impact of parental well-being on adult outcomes and dementia status in individuals with Down syndrome. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 118:294-309
Esbensen, Anna J; Seltzer, Marsha Mailick (2011) Accounting for the Down syndrome advantage? Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 116:3-15
Esbensen, Anna J (2010) Health conditions associated with aging and end of life of adults with Down syndrome. Int Rev Res Ment Retard 39:107-126
Corrice, April M; Glidden, Laraine Masters (2009) The Down syndrome advantage: fact or fiction? Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 114:254-68