Understanding why bone heals differently in Down syndrome
Official title: Determining cell-specific mechanisms that drive aberrant bone regeneration in Down syndrome
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11463437 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores why bone healing is slower or abnormal in people with Down syndrome and how to improve it using mouse models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $495,871 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG081812-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463437 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with Down syndrome who have or are at risk for bone injuries or fractures, particularly males and females across ages where BMD changes are evident.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those not experiencing bone healing issues may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how specific bone cells behave in Down syndrome and how age and sex affect bone healing. They will use several mouse models of Down syndrome to test whether certain cellular pathways limit bone regeneration and whether this can be improved with potential therapies. The project aims to identify targets that could boost bone repair after injuries or fractures in this population. Findings could guide future therapies to reduce fracture risk and improve bone health for people with Down syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to enhance bone healing and lower fracture risk in individuals with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in Down syndrome mouse models have shown impaired bone healing, indicating this area is clinically relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dawson, Lindsay a — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Dawson, Lindsay a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
-
Immune and NGF factors in Alzheimer’s for adults with Down syndrome
This grant studies why people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by looking at immune signals and nerve growth factor problems.
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.