Metabolic Health and Lifestyle in Down Syndrome and Risk of Related Health Conditions
Official title: Metabolic Health, Lifestyle, and Risk of Co-Occurring Health Conditions in Down Syndrome (MET-DS)
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11541246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide study aims to understand how metabolic health and daily habits affect health conditions like Alzheimer’s-related changes in people with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,872,482 |
| NIH project number | 4U01HD116477-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11541246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Down syndrome across age ranges who can participate in long-term health monitoring and biomarker collection.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct Health outcomes from the study, but data will contribute to broader knowledge.
What this research studies
This study follows individuals with Down syndrome to see how metabolism, lifestyle, and aging relate to brain changes and common health conditions. Researchers will collect health data over several years to identify patterns that precede Alzheimer’s-type changes. The project includes coordinating information from multiple sites, analyzing biomarkers, and tracking lifestyle factors to see how they influence risk. Results could guide personalized care and prevention strategies for people with Down syndrome as they age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to earlier detection and targeted prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s-related changes in Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown links between metabolic health and cognitive decline in broader populations, but focused data in Down syndrome is limited and promising.
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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Understanding metabolic health and lifestyle impacts in individuals with Down syndrome
This study is looking at how things like diet and exercise affect the health of young people with Down syndrome, and it will follow 200 participants aged 6 to 24 over five years to see how these factors might lead to other health issues.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.