Project Summary/Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is caused by the inheritance of three rather than the expected two copies of
chromosome 21, or trisomy 21. DS is characterized by specific structural abnormalities in the brain, by a range
of cognitive deficits and intellectual disability, and by a significantly high risk of developing Alzheimer disease
by middle age. The rapid pace of progress in DS research that has taken place in the last decade highlights
the critical need for effective communication between scientists, clinicians, families and self-advocates to take
basic research discoveries from the laboratory to clinical trials that benefit people with DS. Advances in DS
research are not only driven by senior scientists but are dependent up on the nurturing of our next generation
of junior scientists. Thus, this application requests funding to cover travel expenses of American-based junior
investigators, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to attend the Fifth International conference of the
Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS). Attendees at this meeting will include established DS and non-DS
investigators whose research directly or indirectly informs critical aspects of DS cognition, neuropathology,
translational opportunities, and clinical trials. The meeting will take place in Rome, Italy from June 5 to June 8,
2024. Based on our previous successes, we anticipate that this conference will lead to fruitful discussions and
novel collaborations that are essential to define the future of DS research. The theme of our meeting will be
Promoting Research Experience in Down syndrome.