Join more than 200 people like you driving breakthroughs

By partnering with us, you’re joining the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in the Down syndrome community.

What is ABC-DS?

The Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) is a 5-year research project where we follow a group of adult volunteers with Down syndrome to find signs and risks of Alzheimer’s. As part of the study, we gather data through brain scans, blood tests, and exams that look at how people with Down syndrome think.


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Why study Alzheimer’s Disease in Down Syndrome?

Did you know that 70% of adults with Down syndrome will develop Alzheimer’s at some point in their life? Virtually all people with Down syndrome have brain changes consistent with Alzheimer’s by age 40. This needs to change. The only way to change these odds is to better understand, diagnose, treat, and prevent Alzheimer’s in the Down syndrome community.


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The Participation Process

Visit one of our research sites for a general medical exam, complete puzzles and games, questionnaires for your study partner, take photos of your brain and give blood samples.

You will return to see us at 16, 32 and 48 months and then at some point later for a similar visit.


Learn How to Volunteer

Study enrollment and consent

Complete visits to one of our research sites

Study partner completes questionnaires at each visit

Return at 16, 32 and 48 months later for a similar visit.

Tools for Researchers

The ABC-DS study welcomes manuscripts, papers, abstracts, and presentations based on study data and materials. Click here to learn more about the data request process.


More Info for Research

ABC-DS News & Publications

Read More News & Publications

Zoom Caregiver Support Group: Down’s Syndrome & Dementia

Build a support system with people who understand via a Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of those caring for someone with Down Syndrome and Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease.

September 23, 2024

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January Healthy Diet Resources

Information from our ABC-DS calendar for the month of January the theme is HEALTHY DIET

January 23, 2024

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Does Employment Complexity Promote Healthy Cognitive Aging in Down Syndrome?

In adults with Down syndrome, lower employment complexity is associated with memory decline and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

April 11, 2023

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities

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La Movida Madison

Our University of Wisconsin-Madison Study ABC-DS study team joined La Movida Madison

April 11, 2023

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Comparison of amyloid burden in individuals with Down syndrome versus autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease: a cross-sectional study

Amyloid PET changes were similar between people with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease versus Down syndrome

January 1, 2023

The Lancet

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