How congenital heart defects affect motor skills and language development in infants with Down syndrome
Official title: Role of congenital heart defects in motor skills and language acquisition of infants with Down syndrome
Funded at Georgia State University · NIH-11095838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how congenital heart defects might affect the way babies with Down syndrome develop their motor skills and language, using fun technology to track their movements and sounds at home, so we can learn more about their growth and development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $238,706 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD115132-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with Down syndrome, particularly those who also have congenital heart defects.
✕Less likely to help
Infants with Down syndrome who do not have congenital heart defects may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of congenital heart defects on the development of motor skills and language acquisition in infants with Down syndrome. By utilizing mobile technology and computer vision software, the study aims to collect data on motor movements and babbling in a home environment. The researchers will analyze the relationship between motor skills and language development in infants with and without congenital heart defects, providing insights into their developmental trajectories. The goal is to better understand how these factors interact and influence overall development in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved developmental support and interventions for infants with Down syndrome and congenital heart defects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding developmental trajectories in similar populations can lead to significant advancements in care, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia State University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Jianhua — Georgia State University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Jianhua
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.