NICHD announces Down syndrome consortium meeting

It is encouraging news that the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has communicated that it will lead the establishment of a Down Syndrome Consortium, which will provide a forum regarding current research on Ds and continued implementation of the NIH Research Plan on Down syndrome. The meeting will be held in Bethesda on September 29.  The consortium that will be formed will include self advocates and family members of individuals with Down syndrome, the medical/research community, foundations and other stakeholders.

Now more than ever, the NIH wants to hear your voice, and this consortium will be ready to listen.  Contact us at info@researchds.org

NY Times Magazine article highlights Down syndrome cognitive research

Ongoing efforts in Down syndrome cognitive research are described in this article from the NY Times Sunday magazine.  The article is centered primarily on Dr. Alberto Costa and his quest to help his daughter, Tyche, and all others with Down syndrome.  Also included in the article are contributions from researchers Drs. Roger Reeves, Craig Garner, and William Mobley, and a discussion on NIH funding priorities.  The Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act of 2009 was introduced to intensify efforts in research related to Down syndrome.  RDS continues to encourage its supporters to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to support this important bill.