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Project

The Role of CSF Dynamics in Infant Brain and Behavioral Development in Down Syndrome and Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Center:

NC-Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, UCEDD/LEND

Fiscal Year:

2025

Contact Information:

Joseph Piven
[email protected]
919-843-8641

Project Description:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathophysiology has been associated with impaired clearance of neuroinflammatory proteins, (e.g., amyloid-beta) and implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, but the role of CSF dynamics in neurodevelopmental disorders remains unknown. This Career Development Award aims to address this gap by elucidating and contrasting trajectories of CSF characteristics in Down Syndrome (DS) and related disorders (autism spectrum disorder and Fragile X syndrome) across the first two years of life, to determine the relationships between CSF physiology and later neural and clinical features. Given that 50% of children with DS will go on to develop early-onset Alzheimer's, CSF physiology can serve as a mechanistic pathway to aberrant brain and behavioral development and has the potential to guide the design of targeted treatment approaches for early intervention.

Keyword(s):

Developmental Disabilities, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs

Core Function(s):

Performing Research or Evaluation

Area of Emphasis

Health-Related Activities

Target Audience:

Not Applicable

Unserved or Under-served Populations:

Specific Groups

Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:

Not Applicable