Home › Trials › NCT04165109

Observational cohort for adults with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium for Down Syndrome (ACTC-DS) Trial-Ready Cohort - Down Syndrome (TRC-DS)

University of Southern California · NCT04165109

This study is trying to understand how thinking skills relate to Alzheimer's disease signs in adults with Down syndrome to help plan future treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment550 (estimated)
Ages25 Years to 55 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Southern California (other)
Locations22 sites (Phoenix, Arizona and 21 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04165109 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The Trial-Ready Cohort - Down Syndrome (TRC-DS) aims to enroll 120 healthy adults with Down syndrome aged 25-55 into a cohort for longitudinal assessment. Participants will undergo cognitive and clinical evaluations, genetic and biomarker testing, as well as imaging and biospecimen collection. The study seeks to analyze the relationship between cognitive measures and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers to identify suitable endpoints for future Alzheimer's clinical trials in individuals with Down syndrome. This research is conducted in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Biomarkers Consortium - Down Syndrome (ABC-DS).

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 25-55 with a confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome.

Not a fit: Patients with a diagnosis of dementia or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding of Alzheimer's disease progression in individuals with Down syndrome and improve clinical trial design.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in similar populations, indicating a potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of DS (including trisomy 21, mosaic trisomy 21, Robertsonian translocation trisomy 21 or partial trisomy 21) (as confirmed by genetic testing or medical record review)
2. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form; this includes adults with DS who can provide consent, or for whom an LAR provides consent on behalf of the individual to participate. Adults with DS who cannot consent must sign and date an assent accompanied with a signed and dated consent by legally authorized representative (LAR).
3. Stated availability and willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study or until referred to a clinical trial
4. Male or female, aged 25-55 inclusive
5. In good general health as evidenced by medical history with no diagnosis of dementia
6. Permitted CNS-active medications, stable in dose for at least 4 weeks or longer. If new medications have been started, medical monitoring team will review on case by case basis to recommend timing of baseline cognitive testing
7. Adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing
8. Mental Age of 4 years or greater (based upon the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Second Edition, KBIT-2, verbal age equivalent, or based upon medical records)
9. Ability to complete KBIT-2 with IQ equal to or greater than 40
10. Must speak English or Spanish fluently
11. Must have a reliable Study Partner (may be caregiver, sibling, parent) who is capable of providing correct information about the participant's clinical symptoms and history

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any significant disease or unstable medical condition that could affect participation (i.e., unstable psychiatric disease, unstable cardiac problems, chronic renal failure, chronic hepatic disease, severe pulmonary disease)
2. Participants in whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is contraindicated including, but not limited to, those with a non-compatible pacemaker, presence of MRI-incompatible metallic fragments near the eyes or spinal cord, or cochlear implant (Dental fillings do not present a risk for MRI)
3. Participants unable to complete MRI procedure
4. History, within the last 5 years of a primary or recurrent malignant disease with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancers, resected cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ, basal cell carcinoma, cervical carcinoma in situ, or in situ prostate cancer with normal prostate-specific antigen post-treatment
5. Clinically significant abnormalities in B12 or TFTs that might interfere with the study. A low B12 is exclusionary, unless follow-up labs (homocysteine (HC) and methylmalonic acid (MMA)) indicate that it is not physiologically significant. A high TSH is exclusionary unless follow up T3/T4 levels indicate that it is not physiologically significant.
6. Clinically significant abnormalities in screening laboratories
7. For participants undergoing CSF collection: a current blood clotting or bleeding disorder, or significantly abnormal PT or PTT at screening or if on anti-coagulation therapy (e.g. warfarin)
8. Concurrent participation in a clinical trial for an investigational product or concurrent participation in longitudinal study with overlapping outcome measures/procedures is prohibited with the exception of ABC-DS co-enrollment or as approved by project director
9. Participants whom the investigator deems to be otherwise ineligible. The Investigators should consult with the Coordinating Center on any issues that may disqualify the participant from participation in future clinical trials to determine whether enrollment into TRC-DS would be appropriate

Where this trial is running

Phoenix, Arizona and 21 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Down Syndrome, Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Trial-Ready Cohort, Observational, Alzheimer's, Prevention

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.