University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: Down Syndome

Earliest signs of neurodegeneration in Down syndrome detected shortly after birth, new Waisman study shows

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Signs of neurodegeneration in individuals with Down syndrome may start as early as birth, a critical stage of brain development, a new study shows. The research, from investigators at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides an atlas of early brain development in Down syndrome that could inform potential targeted treatments to address the developmental and degenerative aspects of the condition.

New insights into language development: The role of joint attention in kids with Down syndrome and autism

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Attention is a key component of learning. Think of how hard it is to learn someone’s name if all you can think about is the eyelash on their cheek. The same can be said for language learning.

Sigan Hartley, research team receive $9 million National Institutes of Health grant to study Down syndrome

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Sigan Hartley, 100 Women Distinguished Chair in Human Ecology and Human Development & Family Studies professor, and a team of researchers have received a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Waisman BioLibrary: Building a database to boost genetic research on intellectual and developmental disabilities now and for the future

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The end goal is to build a collection of information for multiple disorders, the first one being Down syndrome.

Understanding the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease

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Allison and Amber Westemeier get excited every time they take a trip to the Waisman Center from Oshkosh, WI.

Weight loss may be early predictor of Alzheimer’s disease in Down syndrome

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Unintentional weight loss in people with Down syndrome may predict the onset of Alzheimer’s disease long before typical cognitive symptoms like memory loss and dementia are apparent.

Thoughts of gratitude: The Dewey family is a catalyst of support for the Waisman Center

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Individuals with Down syndrome are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and it typically presents it at an earlier age than the general population. It is estimated that 90% of people with Down syndrome will have developed Alzheimer’s by age 65.

Sigan Hartley, PhD – Slide of the Week

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People with Down Syndrome (DS) are at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because of their unique biology and provide an unparalleled opportunity to develop biomarkers of preclinical AD.

Xinyu Zhao, PhD – Slide of the Week

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Neurodevelopmental impairment contributes to the hallmark cognitive disability in individuals with Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21, T21).

New study reveals changes in key pathway in Down syndrome

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A new paper published by Anita Bhattacharyya, PhD reveals that the differences in brain structure in individuals with Down syndrome (DS or Trisomy 21) may be due to disrupted signaling pathways that alter brain development to result in the incorrect number or placement of cells in the brain.