Immune changes and nerve growth factor problems linked to Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome
The role of immune deregulation and NGF dysmetabolism in the development of Alzheimer disease in individuals with Down syndrome
This project looks at how immune system changes and problems with a brain protein called nerve growth factor relate to early Alzheimer’s in adults with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162248 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will work with adults with Down syndrome to collect clinical information, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, brain scans, and, when available, tissue samples. They will measure immune signals and how nerve growth factor (NGF) is processed, and compare these markers across people at different stages of Alzheimer-type brain changes. The team combines data and samples from several centers and uses standard Alzheimer biomarker frameworks plus new markers outside the AT(N) system. From your perspective, this means they are trying to find biological signs that show who is starting to develop Alzheimer changes and why it happens earlier in Down syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Down syndrome, typically age 21 and older, including those with normal cognition, mild cognitive changes, or early Alzheimer-type symptoms, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without Down syndrome or those who are unable or unwilling to provide biological samples or travel to participating centers would likely not benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify markers and biological targets that help detect or prevent Alzheimer changes earlier in people with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have documented Alzheimer pathology and some biomarkers in Down syndrome, but targeting immune system changes and NGF dysregulation in this way is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Busciglio, Jorge a — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Busciglio, Jorge a
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 below.