Understanding metabolic health and lifestyle impacts in individuals with Down syndrome
Official title: Metabolic Health, Lifestyle, and Risk of Co-Occurring Health Conditions in Down Syndrome (MET-DS)
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11000652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,800,027 |
| NIH project number | 1U01HD116477-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11000652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children, adolescents, and young adults aged 6 to 24 years who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 6 to 24 years or those without a diagnosis of Down syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how metabolic health and lifestyle factors contribute to the risk of developing additional health conditions in individuals with Down syndrome. It will follow 200 participants aged 6 to 24 years over five years, collecting detailed data on their metabolic health, lifestyle habits, and any co-occurring health issues. The study aims to uncover the complex relationships between these factors, which may help improve health outcomes for this population. Participants will be assessed annually through a rigorous deep-phenotyping protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health management strategies and interventions for individuals with Down syndrome, potentially reducing the prevalence of obesity and related health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on metabolic health in the general population, this specific focus on Down syndrome and its unique metabolic challenges is relatively novel.
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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Metabolic Health and Lifestyle in Down Syndrome and Risk of Related Health Conditions
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.
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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.
-
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.