Sympathetic Nervous System Function in Down Syndrome
This study wants to learn how adults with Down syndrome (DS) respond to everyday stress compared with adults without DS of the same sex and age. This study will look at changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and other body responses during stress.
Why this Research Matters
The study team wants to better understand how the body responds to stress in adults with Down syndrome (DS). Stress in this study can include cold, fear, pain, low blood sugar, caffeine, and exercise. The study team believes that responses to stress may be different in adults with DS compared to their peers without DS and they are trying to understand why. Learning more may help researchers better understand heart and blood vessel function in people with DS so that they can work to improve overall quality of life for people with DS.
What to Expect
If you join the study, you may choose to take part in as many or as few of the 6 optional stress tests as you want. The six stress tests include: cold, fear, pain, low blood sugar, caffeine, and exercise. During visits, the study team will review your health history and ask you to complete surveys. You may give blood and urine samples and have your blood sugar checked. The team will check your heart rate, blood pressure, and body size. You may also have activity monitoring. Some visits may include an ultrasound, a DEXA scan, or a treadmill test. The study team will explain each visit.
Study Duration
Study visits will last about 1 to 5 hours based on the tests you choose. You may do up to 3 stress tests in 1 visit. Extra visits will be at least 24 hours apart.
Who can Participate
You may be able to join the study if you are 18 to 50 years old, are generally healthy, and may or may not have Down Syndrome. You must be able to complete study procedures including blood draws. If you have Down syndrome, you must have a study partner who can come to all visits with you and help answer questions if needed. You should have no congenital heart disease or have a condition that has been treated. If you take thyroid medicine, your dose must be stable for at least 6 months. You may not be able to join if you have very high or very low blood pressure, have had cancer in the last 6 months, or take medicines that affect heart rate or metabolism. You also may not be able to join if you have diabetes, use tobacco, vaping products, marijuana, or caffeine in ways that can affect the study tests, or if you are pregnant. Some people may not be able to do some of the stress tests if they have physical or mental conditions that would make the tests unsafe.
Study ID
Protocol Number: 25-0503
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Sara Sherman
Principal Investigator