Investigating early development and cognitive risks in Down syndrome
Official title: Early Developmental Determinants and Pathways in Down syndrome
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10914303 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like balance and focus in babies with Down syndrome can affect their thinking and communication skills, so we can better understand how to support their development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $232,774 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD105980-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914303 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 may be experiencing delays in motor skills or attention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Down syndrome or those who are beyond the infant stage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how early developmental factors, specifically postural control and attention, influence cognitive and communication outcomes in infants with Down syndrome. By examining the relationship between these developmental domains, the study aims to identify critical pathways that contribute to cognitive impairments. The research will involve measuring motor skills and attention in infants to determine how these factors affect their ability to communicate and learn. This innovative approach seeks to fill a significant gap in knowledge regarding the early developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions that enhance cognitive and communication skills in children with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically on the developmental pathways in Down syndrome, similar studies in other developmental disorders have shown promising results in understanding early cognitive risks.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Will, Elizabeth — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Will, Elizabeth
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.
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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.