Risk of early- and late-onset Alzheimer disease and related dementia in adults with cerebral palsy

Aim To examine the risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) among adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Method Using administrative insurance claims data for 2007 to 2017 in the USA, we identified adults (45y or older) with a diagnosis of CP (n=5176). Adults without a diagnosis of CP were included as a typically developing comparison group (n=1 119 131). Using age, sex, ethnicity, other demographic variables, and a set of chronic morbidities, we propensity-matched individuals with and without CP (n=5038). Cox survival models were used to estimate ADRD risk within a 3-year follow up. Results The unadjusted incidence of ADRD was 9 and 2.4 times higher among cohorts of adults 45 to 64 years (1.8%) and 65 years and older (4.8%) with CP than the respective unmatched individuals without CP (0.2% and 2.0% among 45-64y and 65y or older respectively). Fully adjusted survival models indicated that adults with CP had a greater hazard for ADRD (among 45-64y: unmatched hazard ratio 7.48 [95% confidence interval {CI} 6.05-9.25], matched hazard ratio 4.73 [95% CI 2.72-8.29]; among 65y or older: unmatched hazard ratio 2.21 [95% CI 1.95-2.51], matched hazard ratio 1.73 [1.39-2.15]). Interpretation Clinical guidelines for early screening of cognitive function among individuals with CP need updating, and preventative and/or therapeutic services should be used to reduce the risk of ADRD.

Automated summary

The study found that older adults with cerebral palsy have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. It suggests that clinical guidelines for early screening of cognitive function among individuals with cerebral palsy need updating, and preventative and/or therapeutic services should be used to reduce the risk of ADRD.