4 Topic Commentaries

Epilepsy study maps Down syndrome course

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  Laurie Ryan, PhD

  Neuroscience; Alzheimer’s disease and dementia biomarkers

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  National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health

  This is the first large-scale Alzheimer’s biomarker endeavor to focus on this high-risk group. Much like the long-established Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, the goal of this initiative is to develop biomarker measures that signal the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s in people with Down syndrome. Hopefully, one day, we will also use these biomarkers to determine the effectiveness of promising treatments.

  Source
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  Bradley T. Christian, PhD

  Neuroimaging; PET biomarkers; Down syndrome-associated Alzheimer’s disease

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  Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison

  Today, adults with Down syndrome are living longer and leading more productive lives than in the past, which is wonderful. Unfortunately, this is being accompanied by a much higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome in their 50s and 60s.

  Source
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  Sigan Hartley, PhD

  Human development and family studies; Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s research

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  Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison

  The study is critical for individuals with Down syndrome because they have a really heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

  Source
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  Joon-Yi Kang, MD

  Epilepsy neurology; presurgical evaluation and seizure mapping

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  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  This is a new paradigm. We’re getting more insights into specific brain networks. We’re not waiting around for seizures to happen.

  Source