Protein balance problems and Alzheimer's-like dementia in Down syndrome
Official title: Proteostasis dysregulation and the development of Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration and dementia in Down syndrome
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-11237975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project asks whether disrupted protein management in the brain leads to Alzheimer's-like dementia in people with Down syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $550,071 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080817-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237975 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with Down syndrome (or their families) who can provide clinical information, consent to donate samples, or participate in related observational efforts connected to Temple University and collaborators.
✕Less likely to help
People without Down syndrome or those with very advanced dementia unlikely to respond to early-targeted proteostasis interventions may not directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
From the patient's perspective, researchers compare brain samples and markers from people with Down syndrome to those without to see how protein control systems are working. They study a well‑known Down syndrome mouse model (Ts65Dn) to follow early brain changes, measure mTOR pathway activity, and look at signs like amyloid plaques and synaptic loss. The team links biochemical findings to the pattern of neurodegeneration and tests whether correcting proteostasis-related pathways might prevent or slow those changes. Results could point to targets for future treatments aimed at the specific biology of Alzheimer's-like dementia in Down syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological targets (like mTOR) that lead to therapies to delay or reduce Alzheimer's-like dementia in people with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical studies have linked mTOR and proteostasis to Alzheimer's pathology, but applying these findings specifically to Down syndrome is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pratico, Domenico — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Pratico, Domenico
Related research
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Understanding cognitive variability in adults with Down syndrome and its link to Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers
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Understanding dementia in adults with Down syndrome
A study with adults who have Down syndrome will explore why cognitive decline and dementia occur, using advanced brain analyses to identify key pathways and potential treatment targets.
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Investigating how protein regulation affects Alzheimer's-like symptoms in Down syndrome
This study is looking at how certain proteins in the brain might be linked to Alzheimer's-like changes in people with Down syndrome, and it hopes to find ways to help keep their brains healthier.
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.