Down syndrome Alzheimer's research program
Official title: Core H: Down Syndrome Core
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11368558 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check NIH RePORTER for its current status.
This program follows adults with Down syndrome to track yearly brain and fluid markers tied to Alzheimer's disease so we can learn when and how dementia starts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11368558 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a clinical diagnosis of Down syndrome aged 18 to 70 who can travel to UC Irvine for annual visits and are willing to undergo imaging and provide fluid samples are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without Down syndrome, those under 18 or over 70, or anyone unable or unwilling to attend visits or provide samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
What this research studies
You would join a group of about 50 adults with Down syndrome, ages 18 to 70, who are seen once a year at UC Irvine. Each visit includes clinical and thinking tests, brain scans, and fluid (blood/spinal fluid) collection, and participants are invited to consider brain donation. The program focuses on including people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and studies social factors that might affect when dementia begins. It also pilots new outcome measures and works with other research teams to share findings and ideas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect Alzheimer-related changes earlier in people with Down syndrome and guide better care and future treatments for this group.
How similar studies have gone: Previous longitudinal studies in Down syndrome have successfully mapped amyloid and other biomarker changes over time, but many lacked diverse participants and novel outcome measures.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Head, Elizabeth — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Head, Elizabeth
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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.