Understanding cognitive development in children with Down syndrome
Official title: Risk for Severe/Profound Intellectual Disability in Down Syndrome
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-10780464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how children with Down syndrome, especially those with more severe intellectual challenges, grow and learn over time, and it aims to find out what helps or hinders their cognitive development, so we can better understand their unique abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $737,160 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD113720-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10780464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-3 years diagnosed with Down syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 3 years or do not have a diagnosis of Down syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cognitive outcomes of children with Down syndrome, focusing on those who experience severe or profound intellectual disability. The study aims to identify early cognitive growth patterns and the factors that contribute to significant cognitive delays. Researchers will assess 90 children at different stages of development, collecting blood samples and behavioral data to explore the relationship between cognitive abilities and biological markers. The goal is to enhance understanding of the variability in cognitive skills among children with Down syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions and support strategies for children with Down syndrome who are at risk for severe cognitive delays.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding cognitive development in Down syndrome, but this specific focus on severe/profound intellectual disability is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fidler, Deborah J — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Fidler, Deborah J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding early cognitive skills in children with Down syndrome
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-
Why some children with Down syndrome have very low early thinking skills
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This project uses child-friendly EEG and eye-tracking to measure brain responses and looking patterns in 6–11-year-old children with autism and intellectual disability.
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.