Kings College London are seeking adults with Down's syndrome to take part in important research into Dementia. If the research proves successful it will form the basis of future treatments to reduce the incidence of Dementia in people with Down's syndrome. Full expenses will be paid.
Find out more below....
The Downslit study is a study on the role of a brain chemical called myo-inositol (mI) in Down syndrome (DS) and cognitive function, and seeks to investigate if a medication called lithium modulates brain myo-inositol in people with DS.
The current study is a clinical trial which seeks to target mI by treating adults with Down's syndrome with lithium carbonate for one month at therapeutic levels. The study is powered to determine if we can modulate mI, but is not specifically powered to determine if modulation in mI affects cognitive ability. That will be the focus of future studies if this is successful.
They are seeking participants who have DS but no dementia to come to London over two visits where they will have 1H-MRS scans, cognitive testing and bloods taken for biomarkers at each visit. In between those visits, they will be randomised to take lithium carbonate or placebo. Allowing for 3-4 weeks for the titration phase and a further 4 weeks for the maintenance phase of lithium therapy at a therapeutic dose, the duration of their involvement in the study will be around 7-8 weeks in total. This study has been adopted by the UK Clinical Research Network as well as the Mental Health Research Network and as such, participating NHS trusts will be able to claim service support costs which include research time of clinicians involved and also benefit from the support of clinical support officers in the running of the study at the local level. All transport costs for participants and their accompanying carers will be reimbursed, including overnight accommodation if necessary and participants are given a small monetary token as compensation for their time.
Visit the study's website to find out how to take part and who to contact.
