How to Contact Us

How to Contact Us
For more information or to enroll in
this research study, please contact
the coordinator:
Lynette Villa de Rey
Center for Human Genetics Research
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN 37232
1 888 717 4319
(615) 322 5264
Email: imaging-genetics
@chgr.mc.vanderbilt.edu
Check out our website:
http://chgr.mc.vanderbilt.edu
Tricia A. Thornton-Wells, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Center for Human Genetics Research
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN 37232
This Vanderbilt IRB-approved
research study is conducted in
accordance with Federal guidelines
and current US laws.
Brain Imaging
Study of Adults
with Down
Syndrome
About Our Study
Did You Know?


Alzheimer Disease is a
degenerative neurological
disorder characterized by
progressive memory loss,
personality changes and loss of
functional motor capabilities.
It is far more common in
individuals with Down syndrome
than the general population.

Not all individuals with Down
syndrome will develop Alzheimer
disease.

25 percent or more of individuals
with Down syndrome over age
35 show clinical signs and
symptoms of Alzheimer-type
dementia.



The goal of our study is to investigate
new ways to detect brain changes
associated with Down Syndrome and
Alzheimer Disease, which could be used
for early screening.
We will use a technique called magnetic
resonance imaging, or MRI
o MRI uses magnets to take pictures
of the brain.
o MRI is non-invasive, so there are no
injections and no radiation is
involved.
o Our study will use 2 different
magnetic strengths referred to as 3
Tesla MRI and 7 Tesla MRI.

One of the genes responsible for
Down Syndrome—amyloid
precursor protein (APP)—is also
associated with Alzheimer
Disease.
With both magnet strengths, we will
take pictures of your brain to look at:
o How your brain functions while you
are resting
o How parts of your brain are
connected.
o How many protein plaques that are
related to the APP gene are present
in your brain
*Information from www.ndss.org

We hope to learn how to identify and
treat Alzheimer Disease earlier.
Who We Need

Adults with Down Syndrome
between the ages of 30 and 75

If there is no history of head
trauma or stroke, that is preferred

Participants will be compensated
for their time at a rate of $20 per
hour

There may be more opportunities
for other studies in the future!