DS-ARC: A smartphone test to track cognitive change in people with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer’s
Official title: DS-ARC: A Remote Digital Cognitive Assessment for Down Syndrome-Associated Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11504761 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed and tested to help monitor early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $166,428 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG081394-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11504761 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Down syndrome who are at risk for DS-AD and able to use a smartphone for frequent testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without Down syndrome or those not at risk for DS-AD may not benefit from this tool.
What this research studies
This project creates a digital, smartphone-based cognitive assessment that people with Down syndrome can use in their daily lives. It uses a burst design, with short tests completed several times a day for a week to capture day-to-day variability. By comparing results with biological markers and prior studies, the team hopes to better track when cognitive changes begin and how they progress in DS-AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could enable earlier detection and closer monitoring of cognitive changes in Down syndrome, potentially guiding timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior ARC studies in Alzheimer’s disease have shown reliable digital measures that relate to biomarkers and reduce the need for in-clinic testing.
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.
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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.
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Remote monitoring of Alzheimer’s changes in adults with Down syndrome
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How sleep and body temperature affect Alzheimer's risk in adults with Down syndrome
Researchers will follow adults with Down syndrome over several years to learn whether sleep problems and lower body temperature are linked to earlier Alzheimer's changes.
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DS-ARC: A smartphone-based cognitive test for Down syndrome–associated Alzheimer’s disease
A smartphone-based cognitive test will be developed and tested to help detect early signs of dementia in adults with Down syndrome.
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DS-ARC: A smartphone-based cognitive test for Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer's disease
A new smartphone app will measure day-to-day thinking changes in adults with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, helping catch early signs in a convenient, real-world way.
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DS-ARC: A Remote Digital Cognitive Test for Down Syndrome-Related Alzheimer’s Disease
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed to help people with Down syndrome who are at risk for Alzheimer’s disease understand and track early brain changes.
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.