The purpose of the Libbi Thomas Foundation is to support scientific discovery and research associated with Down  syndrome and its link to Alzheimer’s disease and other linked diseases.

Advances in function, well-being and life span for people with Down syndrome have revealed an additional health risk: As they age, individuals with Down syndrome have a greatly increased risk of developing a type of dementia   that appears to be almost identical to Alzheimer disease in the general population except that it occurs much earlier.According to the Alzheimer's Association, autopsy studies show that by age 40, the brains of almost all individuals with Down syndrome have significant levels of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, abnormal protein deposits considered  hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. Despite the presence of these brain changes, not everyone with Down syndrome develops  dementia symptoms.

One of the many questions researchers hope to answer about Down syndrome is why some develop dementia symptoms and others don't, and why some develop the disease in their early 40s and others not until their late 60s.  Researchers are working to answer a similar key question about those who don't have Down syndrome: Why do some people with brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer's never show symptoms of the disease? The ultimate goal is to better understand these connections to foster treatments that will make Alzheimer’s disease preventable or at most a rarity in those with Down syndrome as they age.

The goal of the Libbi Thomas Foundation will be to grant funds to studies that are making progress in answering these questions.

 “Alzheimer dementia is now diagnosed in approximately 30% of those born with Down syndrome who reach age 50 and up to two-thirds of those who are in their 60s.”

— Florence Lai, MD

Where does the funding go?

Funding will be distributed based on need and progress by the researchers. Currently, Harvard University researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, Florence Lai, MD and Diana Rosas, MD who have followed 800 individuals with Down syndrome are making great strides in seeking  “biomarkers” that may predict or modify the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in this vulnerable population.. They are passionate about bringing viable treatments to this special group of adults. Due to their current progress, these researchers are targeted to be the first to receive grant funds. The specific study funded would be recommended by the researchers and voted on by the Libbi Thomas Foundation Board of Directors.

To See The Latest Research Update, Click HERE