Medications to treat sleep apnea and boost thinking in children with Down syndrome
Medications for Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Improve Cognition in Children with Down Syndrome (MOSAIC DS)
This project gives a combination of two commonly used medicines, atomoxetine and oxybutynin, to children with Down syndrome who have obstructive sleep apnea to see if it helps them sleep better and think more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178895 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Your child would receive a nightly combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin, two drugs already used in children for other conditions. The study team will use overnight sleep studies and other sleep measures to track changes in breathing during sleep and will use brief cognitive tests and questionnaires to track thinking, behavior, and quality of life. Doctors will monitor for side effects and how well families can give the medicine each night. The aim is to offer a non-surgical, medication-based option that could reduce sleep apnea and its impact on learning and daily life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with Down syndrome who have diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and whose caregivers are willing to try nightly medication and attend study visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children without obstructive sleep apnea, those with medical reasons they cannot take atomoxetine or oxybutynin, or those who cannot adhere to nightly medication may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could reduce sleep apnea symptoms and improve thinking, behavior, and overall quality of life for children with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: The drug combination has helped adults with OSA and nerve-stimulation surgery has helped some adolescents with Down syndrome, but medication use for sleep apnea in young children with Down syndrome is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Combs, Daniel — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Combs, Daniel
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.