# The Promotion of Physical Activity for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in Adults with Down Syndrome

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $740,534

## Abstract

Abstract
The number of people with Down syndrome (DS) living the U.S. has grown from ~50,000 to ~250,700 over the
past 70 yrs. Nearly all individuals with DS display pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD)
beginning as early as age 30. Previous research in typically developed adults suggests that increased
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may improve cognitive function and protect against age-related
structural and functional changes in the brain; however, the potential impact of increased MVPA on the
development of AD in adults with DS has not been evaluated. Despite the potential positive impact of MVPA on
cognition and AD risk, participation in MVPA among young adults with DS is low. The limited research
evaluating strategies for increasing MVPA in adults with DS and has been unsuccessful in increasing short-
term (≤ 12 wks.) or long-term MVPA (12 mo.). Results from our preliminary investigation (12 wks.) which
remotely delivers real-time MVPA, led by a trained health coach, to groups of adults with DS in their homes
(n=27), via video conferencing on a tablet computer demonstrated high attendance, increased MVPA during
group sessions, and improvements in cognitive function. However, the sustainability, impact on total daily
MVPA, optimal session frequency, and potential impacts on cognitive function and brain health of remotely
delivered group MVPA sessions in adults with DS are unknown. Therefore, we propose a 12 mo. early stage
clinical trial in 80 non-demented adults with DS to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of remotely
delivered group MVPA sessions to increase daily MVPA, relative to a usual care control. Participants will be
randomized to attend 40 min remotely delivered group MVPA sessions at a low frequency (1 session/wk.,RL),
high frequency (3 sessions/wk., RH), or usual care control. Content for both the RL and RH arms will be
identical with the exception of group session frequency (1 vs. 3/wk.). Consistent with the funding
announcement PAR-18-877 this trial will assess the feasibility and potential effectiveness of the RL, RH, and
UC interventions on MVPA, and gather initial estimates of the impact of MVPA on cognition and measure of
brain health related to AD in adults with DS. This information is required to inform the development of
adequately powered, late stage confirmatory trials to evaluate the role of increased MVPA to prevent or delay
AD in adults with DS. Our primary aim will assess daily MVPA (min) in the RL, RH, and UC arms at baseline,
3, 6, 9, and 12 mos., and obtain effect sizes for change in MVPA over 12-mos. Secondary aim 1 will assess
the impact of MVPA across the RL, RH, and UC arms on cardiovascular fitness, quality of life, cognitive
function and brain parameters related to AD (whole and regional brain volume, functional connectivity, resting
state MRI, cerebral blood flow) at baseline, 6, and 12 mos. Secondary aim 2 will determine the feasibility
(retention, session atte...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983545
- **Project number:** 5R01AG063909-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph E. Donnelly
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $740,534
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983545

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983545, The Promotion of Physical Activity for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in Adults with Down Syndrome (5R01AG063909-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983545. Licensed CC0.

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