Rosalind Franklin University researcher, Dr. Grace E. Stutzmann, has been granted $1.8 million by the National Institute on Aging to investigate the connection between Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. This research collaboration with New York University aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for individuals with Down Syndrome who are at risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder and a leading cause of intellectual disability. According to the National Institute on Aging, 50-75% of individuals with Down Syndrome will develop dementia as they age, often experiencing symptoms in their 40s.
Dr. Stutzmann's study will utilize transcriptomic analysis and neurophysiological mechanisms to deepen our understanding of how individuals with Down Syndrome progress to Alzheimer's disease. The grant awarded to Dr. Stutzmann is part of a larger $2.4 million grant that includes collaboration with Dr. Stephen D. Ginsberg from NYU's Grossman School of Medicine.