Cholinergic System Health Study in Adults with Down Syndrome Linking Aging, Alzheimers Disease, and Cognitive Function

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying adults with Down syndrome DS, a genetic condition linked to intellectual disability and a high risk of developing Alzheimers disease AD due to an extra copy of the amyloid precursor protein gene. The study focuses on understanding how loss of cholinergic neurons, which are important for memory and attention, relates to aging, AD pathology, and cognitive decline in DS. This research aims to identify early markers of dementia risk and help design future treatments. Participants will undergo various imaging and testing methods to assess cholinergic system health. These include PET scans using an 18F-FEOBV radiotracer to measure cholinergic activity, structural MRI to examine brain regions, and EEG to assess brain function. The study involves adults aged 18-55 with DS, including some participants from a related cohort study, to gather detailed biomarker data. During the study, participants will have neuroimaging sessions, cognitive and neurobehavioral assessments, and clinical evaluations. Researchers will analyze how cholinergic system changes relate to cognitive performance and AD-related brain changes. The primary outcome is the correlation between PET radiotracer uptake and basal forebrain volume. Secondary outcomes include EEG measures related to cholinergic function. The study will last about six years, with analyses completed after study completion in 2027.

Cholinergic Integrity in Down Syndrome in Association With Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Pathology, and Cognition