Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium – Down Syndrome: ABC-DS (Christian & Hartley)

Down syndrome - Brad ChristianThe National Institutes of Health-funded Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium – Down Syndrome (ABC-DS), a large multi-center research initiative to find biomarkers to track Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome. The Waisman Center is part of this multi-site study across the United States and at University of Cambridge in England.

As part of the study, the Waisman Center is seeking adults with Down syndrome, ages 25 and above, for a research study involving an MRI and PET scans to examine amyloid plaque in the brains of these individuals. Researcher Brad Christian, PhD, will look at the link between amyloid plaques and Down syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome, which contains the gene that makes these proteins and could lead to earlier development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study takes two days, with the first day spent reviewing the procedures, completing a caregiver questionnaire, and neuropsychological testing for the individual with Down syndrome. On the second day brain imaging studies are performed, including an MRI, two PET scans and a blood draw.

Participants will receive compensation for time and expenses. Accommodations are available for families who live a few hours from the Waisman Center.

Learn more about the study here: https://www.abcds.pitt.edu/.

Please call Renee Makuch at 608.262.4717 for additional information. The Waisman Center is located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

PIs: Brad Christian, PhD and Sigan Hartley, PhD
Keywords: Down syndrome, Brain Imaging