Linking developmental disorders with later neurodegenerative diseases
Official title: LEGENNDS: Linking Epidemiology and GEnetics of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders Study
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11578723 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multinational study will look at how early neurodevelopmental conditions like ASD and ADHD relate to risks of later dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $126,667 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS131433-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578723 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with a history of ASD, ADHD, or ID, plus individuals in older age groups to assess later-life outcomes.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of neurodevelopmental disorders or older adults not at risk for neurodegenerative diseases may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to combine long-term health data from Sweden, Denmark, and the UK with genetic information to understand how conditions from childhood may influence brain health in later life. Researchers will analyze millions of records, including large genotyped groups and older adult cohorts, to map natural history, family patterns, and possible genetic links. The goal is to identify targets for interventions that could reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, or ALS in people with a history of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study uses established biobanks and national health datasets to triangulate findings from epidemiology and genetics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform strategies to lower the risk of dementia and related diseases in people with neurodevelopmental histories.
How similar studies have gone: Similar large-scale epidemiological-genetic studies have generated valuable insights, but this study’s multinational design and linkage of developmental and late-life data is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Brian Kane — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Brian Kane
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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.