New study at UNT Health will research Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome
An institute at UNT Health Fort Worth is participating in a national study working to understand why adults with Down syndrome are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, the Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium-Down Syndrome, is supported by the National Institutes of Health, and is working to identify biological markers of Down syndrome.
UNT Health’s Institute for Translational Research is one of 11 sites participating in the study, and the first site in Texas, said Melissa Petersen, Ph.D., associate professor and clinical core and omics scientific lead at the Institute. Across the country, the study has recruited 600 people to participate. About 45 people will participate with UNT Health.
Alzheimer’s disease is far more common in people with Down syndrome than in the neurotypical population. According to published research, the lifetime incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome is 90%.
Petersen’s research to date has focused on looking for markers in the blood that can help predict Alzheimer’s disease. The new study will work on understanding the blood biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.
“I think that through this work and what we’re able to learn that we can actually make a difference in the lives of adults with Down syndrome,” Petersen said.
For participants, the study may include physical exams, neurological tests, brain scans, and assessments to measure cognition, memory and movement, according to the study’s webpage.
About $6.8 million has been awarded to UNT Health for the study.
To learn more about participating in the study, you can contact itr@unthealth.edu.
