Alzheimer's markers in adults with Down syndrome
Official title: Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium - Down Syndrome (ABC-DS)
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10906278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for blood, brain imaging, and genetic signs that show when Alzheimer's starts and progresses in adults with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $17,980,649 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG068054-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Down syndrome, typically age 21 and older, including those without symptoms and those with mild cognitive changes, are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without Down syndrome, children under 21, or individuals with severe health issues preventing clinic visits would not be eligible and likely would not benefit directly.
What this research studies
You'll join a group of adults with Down syndrome who are followed over time with regular memory tests, brain scans, blood draws, and genetic checks. The team uses imaging (like PET and MRI), fluid biomarkers (blood and sometimes cerebrospinal fluid), and genetic analyses to map how amyloid and tau build up before symptoms appear. Researchers compare these patterns to typical late-onset Alzheimer's to find shared and unique features. That information helps design better ways to detect decline early and choose measures for future prevention trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier detection and better tracking of Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome, helping guide prevention or treatment trials.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have detected amyloid and tau changes in Down syndrome similar to late-onset Alzheimer's, supporting this biomarker approach, while ABC-DS expands on size and detail to answer remaining questions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Handen, Benjamin L — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Handen, Benjamin L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
A study using a mouse model to understand why optic nerve problems are common in children with Down syndrome and how to prevent them.
-
Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
A caregiver-guided program for kids with Down syndrome aged up to 11 to strengthen their thinking skills during early childhood.
-
Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Infant Down Syndrome Brain and Behavior Study
A study of infants with Down syndrome to collect brain imaging and developmental data, creating a large, shared resource to understand how autism and other factors relate to development.
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DS-ARC: Smartphone-based cognitive check for people with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer’s
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed and tested for people with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, to track changes quietly in daily life.
-
Immune and NGF factors in Alzheimer’s for adults with Down syndrome
This grant studies why people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by looking at immune signals and nerve growth factor problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.