Understanding metabolic health and lifestyle impacts in individuals with Down syndrome

Metabolic Health, Lifestyle, and Risk of Co-Occurring Health Conditions in Down Syndrome (MET-DS)

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11000652

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 typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11000652 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children, adolescents, and young adults aged 6 to 24 years who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 6 to 24 years or those without a diagnosis of Down syndrome may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.