A Generation Aging Early: What Lawyers Should Know About Down Syndrome and Alzheimer

This program features three expert speakers from UC Irvine and the National Down Syndrome Society who will address the critical intersection of genetic aging and legal planning. Elizabeth Head, PhD, will introduce the neurobiological and genetic foundations, explaining why individuals with Down syndrome carry a significantly higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and highlighting how the disease triggers an earlier age of onset and a more rapid cognitive decline. Mark Mapstone, PhD, will focus on clinical assessment and research, comparing how dementia is diagnosed in individuals with intellectual disabilities versus the general population, exploring the role of biomarkers, and highlighting future research advancements. Kate O’Neill from the National Down Syndrome Society will provide guidance for legal practitioners and families, offering resources for specific age milestones and post-diagnosis life, sharing the vital caregiver perspective, and outlining best practices for proactive advance legal planning.