Understanding Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome
Project 1: Biomarkers for Characterizing and Predicting AD in DS
This study is looking at how Alzheimer's disease develops in people with Down syndrome as they get older, by tracking changes in certain brain markers, to better understand the differences in how Alzheimer's affects them compared to others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10667598 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how Alzheimer's disease (AD) develops in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), who are at a higher risk for AD as they age. The project aims to track changes in brain biomarkers associated with AD, such as amyloid and tau proteins, to understand the progression from being clinically unaffected to developing mild cognitive impairment and eventually dementia. By comparing these patterns to those seen in typical late-onset Alzheimer's, the study seeks to identify unique aspects of AD in DS and how various risk factors may influence this progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults with Down syndrome, particularly those who are 21 years or older and are at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients without Down syndrome or those who are not at risk for Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease in both individuals with Down syndrome and the general population.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding Alzheimer's disease progression in other populations, but this specific focus on Down syndrome is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ances, Beau M — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ances, Beau M
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.