Lifestyle and resilience factors linked to Alzheimer’s in adults with Down syndrome
Official title: Lifestyle Risk and Resiliency Factors and Alzheimer’s Disease in Down syndrome
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11447565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with Down syndrome looks at how daily lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, body fat, and stress relate to brain changes and memory over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,189 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AG070028-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Down syndrome aged 25+ who participate in the ABC-DS study and are willing to share lifestyle data and biomarker information.
✕Less likely to help
Participants who do not show a lifestyle-related influence on biomarkers may still contribute to broader knowledge but may not receive direct individualized guidance.
What this research studies
This project follows 250 adults with Down syndrome aged 25 and older to see how lifestyle factors relate to Alzheimer’s-related brain changes and cognitive decline. Participants provide lifestyle data and biomarker measurements as part of ongoing cohorts, with three assessments about 16 months apart. The goal is to identify lifestyle patterns that influence amyloid plaques, tau tangles, inflammation, and neuronal injury, to guide future prevention trials. By connecting lifestyle, cardiometabolic health, and brain biomarkers, the study aims to reveal actionable ways to reduce risk of dementia in DS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could inform personalized lifestyle strategies to delay or reduce Alzheimer’s-related changes in people with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in dementia and DS suggests lifestyle factors impact biomarkers and cognition, making this a promising but still emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartley, Sigan L — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Hartley, Sigan L
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
A study tests remote (at-home) ways to track Alzheimer’s-related thinking 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.