Investigating genetic factors and their effects on Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Down syndrome
Official title: Heterogeneous genetics effects and mediation in Alzheimer's disease
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11063555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how genetic differences might affect the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome, and it aims to find out how other health conditions might play a role in this relationship.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,041 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG087057-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults with Down syndrome who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease due to their genetic profile.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those who do not have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how genetic variations influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). By analyzing data from the Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium for Down syndrome, the study aims to explore the relationship between co-occurring medical conditions and AD pathology. Utilizing advanced statistical methods, including Bayesian inference and machine learning, the research seeks to identify individual differences in how genetic factors, such as the APOE genotype, affect amyloid-beta levels, which are critical in AD development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and potentially new strategies for preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding genetic influences on Alzheimer's disease, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jiebiao — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jiebiao
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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.