R01HD110542

Autism in young children with Down syndrome - Abstract

This project aims to advance early screening procedures for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in young children with Down syndrome (DS). Co-occurring ASD is a lifelong condition that impacts quality of life, adaptation, and cost of care for individuals with DS.

A lack of systematic research on early development in young children with DS has significantly hindered efforts to identify those at heightened risk for ASD. The current lack of early detection means that children with DS+ASD do not benefit from developmentally informed, anticipatory early interventions that are available to the general population of young children with ASD.

This project will identify markers of ASD risk in DS with an examination of two areas: (1) developmental presentation during early childhood in the areas of cognition, communication, motor skills, adaptive behavior, and other relevant developmental domains, and (2) the presence of candidate biomedical risk conditions including premature birth and low birth weight, infantile spasms (West syndrome), congenital heart defects, sleep dysregulation, and gastrointestinal conditions.

We will characterize developmental profiles, biomedical conditions, and ASD symptom presentation comprehensively in a cohort of 225 young children with DS across three data waves (Wave 1: 18-21 months; Wave 2: 30-33 months; Wave 3: 42-45 months). We will then model the relationship between developmental and biomedical factors at Waves 1 and 2 and ASD presentation at Wave 3 via mixture modeling to identify the strongest early predictors of later ASD outcomes.

Based on these analyses, we will generate recommendations for ASD screening protocols for children with DS ages 18 to 45 months. Findings from this study will directly address the NIH include objective of improving health and well-being for people with DS.

Colorado State University

TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LABORATORY RESEARCH, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND STUDIES WITH PEOPLE THAT EXPLORE HEALTH PROCESSES. NICHD RESEARCHERS EXAMINE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, BIOLOGIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS, BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE. TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF DISABILITIES, DISEASES, AND DEFECTS ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS. WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE NICHD HOPES TO RESTORE, INCREASE, AND MAXIMIZE THE CAPABILITIES OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISEASE AND INJURY. TO SPONSOR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, DOCTORS, AND RESEARCHERS TO ENSURE THAT NICHD RESEARCH CAN CONTINUE. BY TRAINING THESE PROFESSIONALS IN THE LATEST RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES, THE NICHD WILL BE ABLE TO CONDUCT ITS RESEARCH AND MAKE HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRESS UNTIL ALL CHILDREN, ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND POPULATIONS ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. THE MISSION OF THE NICHD IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IS BORN HEALTHY AND WANTED, THAT WOMEN SUFFER NO HARMFUL EFFECTS FROM REPRODUCTIVE PROCESSES, AND THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL FOR HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES, FREE FROM DISEASE OR DISABILITY, AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGH OPTIMAL REHABILITATION.

93.310 - Trans-NIH Research Support

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) [HHS - NIH]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Colorado United States

State-Wide

Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) (PA-20-272)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 392% from $918,536 to $4,521,282.