The Alzheimer's Biomarker Consortium‐Down Syndrome: Rationale and methodology

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at exceptionally high risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with virtually all individuals developing key neuropathological features by age 40. Identifying biomarkers of AD progression in DS can provide valuable insights into pathogenesis and suggest targets for disease modifying treatments. The article describes the development of a multi-center, longitudinal study of
biomarkers of AD in DS. The protocol includes longitudinal examination of clinical, cognitive, blood and cerebrospinal fluid-based biomarkers, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography measures (at 16-month intervals), as well as genetic modifiers of AD risk and progression. Approximately 400 individuals will be enrolled in the study (more than 370 to date). The methodological approach from the administrative, clinical, neuroimaging, omics, neuropathology, and statistical cores is provided. This represents the largest U.S.-based, multi-site, biomarker initiative of AD in DS. Findings can inform other multidisciplinary networks studying AD in the general population. The NTG-EDSD is included among the instruments in this study.

Source: Handen BL, Lott IT, Christian BT, Schupf N, OBryant S, Mapstone M, Fagan AM, Lee JH, Tudorascu D, Wang MC, Head E, Klunk W, Ances B, Lai F, Zaman S, Krinsky-McHale S, Brickman AM, Rosas HD, Cohen A, Andrews H, Hartley S, Silverman W; Alzheimer's Biomarker Consortium‐Down Syndrome (ABC‐DS). The Alzheimer's Biomarker Consortium-Down Syndrome: Rationale and methodology. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2020 Aug 3;12(1):e12065. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12065.