Understanding how cerebrospinal fluid affects brain development in infants with Down Syndrome.
Official title: The Role of CSF Dynamics in Infant Brain and Behavioral Development in Down Syndrome and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11242628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the fluid around the brain affects the growth and development of babies with Down Syndrome and similar conditions, to help find ways to support their brain health as they grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $68,691 |
| NIH project number | 3K01HD109445-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11242628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with Down Syndrome or related neurodevelopmental disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurodevelopmental disorders or those outside the infant age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the brain development of infants, particularly those with Down Syndrome and related neurodevelopmental disorders. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques and clinical assessments, the study aims to identify early signs of brain pathology during critical growth periods. The goal is to enhance our understanding of how CSF flow impacts brain health and to develop targeted interventions that could improve outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early interventions for infants with Down Syndrome, potentially reducing the risk of developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While research on CSF dynamics in adults has shown promising results, this approach in infants with neurodevelopmental disorders is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garic, Dea — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Garic, Dea
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how cerebrospinal fluid affects brain development in infants with Down Syndrome.
This study is looking at how the fluid around the brain affects the development of babies with Down Syndrome and similar conditions, hoping to find early signs of any issues so that we can help these children grow healthier.
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Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
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Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
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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.