NIH-funded research R01 grant

DS-ARC: A smartphone-based cognitive test for Down syndrome–associated Alzheimer’s disease

Official title: DS-ARC: A Remote Digital Cognitive Assessment for Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer's Disease

Funded at Washington University · NIH-11504766 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A smartphone-based cognitive test will be developed and tested to help detect early signs of dementia in adults with Down syndrome.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$166,428
NIH project number3R01AG081394-03S4
Project IDNIH-11504766 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with Down syndrome who are at risk for DS-AD and can use a smartphone.

Less likely to help

Individuals without Down syndrome or those unable to use a smartphone for daily tasks may not benefit.

What this research studies

People with Down syndrome are at high risk for developing Alzheimer’s–related dementia, and this project creates a quick, daily smartphone test to track cognitive changes in real life. Over one week, participants will complete brief tasks on their phones several times per day to reduce day-to-day fluctuations and improve reliability. The study builds on prior work showing that smartphone methods can relate to brain biomarkers and reduce the need for frequent clinic visits. By capturing natural, within-day variation, DS-ARC aims to identify early, pre-symptomatic changes that could guide future prevention efforts.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could enable earlier detection of cognitive changes in DS-AD and reduce the burden of frequent clinic testing for patients and families.

How similar studies have gone: Previous ARC studies in AD have shown reliable measurements that relate to biomarkers, suggesting potential success with this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Washington University
    Saint Louis, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Hassenstab, Jason J — Washington University
  • Study coordinator: Hassenstab, Jason J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.