Down Syndrome Center

The Emory Down Syndrome Center's team of scientists and physicians have been involved in Down syndrome research for more than a decade. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families by combining excellence in research, clinical services, and education. Specific goals in these areas include:

Research

• Learning more about the chromosome error that leads to Down syndrome.

• Understanding the medical and developmental consequences of an extra chromosome 21.

Clinical Services

• Providing excellent clinical services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

• Applying knowledge gained through research to improve lives.

Education

• Using our research and clinical experience to educate the rising generation of health professionals about Down syndrome.

• Working with families, parent organizations, and others to improve the understanding of Down syndrome in the community.

Enrollment has concluded for these studies, but data analysis is ongoing. 

An auxiliary achievement in the pursuit of the following studies is the center's creation of a Data and Biological Sample Repository, a substantial resource of clinical and epidemiological data and biological samples collected from infants and children with Down syndrome.

Emory Down Syndrome Project

A multi-site, population-based, case-control study led by the Emory Down Syndrome Center with two primary goals: (1) to identify molecular and epidemiological factors contributing to chromosome nondisjunction and the consequent packaging of an extra chromosome into an egg or sperm, and (2) to identify risk factors for Down syndrome-associated birth defects.

Study of Down Syndrome and Congenital Heart Defects

An investigation that aims to identify the genetic and environmental factors that influence susceptibility for congenital heart defects in people with Down syndrome.

Genetic Influences on Learning and Behavior in Individuals with Down syndrome (Cognition Project)

A large scale, multi-site project dedicated to identifying the factors, both genetic and environmental, that lead to the variation in cognitive functioning seen in individuals with Down syndrome. Building a greater understanding of the systems and components involved in cognition could play an important role in developing evidence-based intervention programs.

According to your interests, you are welcome to specify that your gift supports the goals of a particular branch of the Down Syndrome Center:

• The Down Syndrome Clinic
• Down syndrome research
• Education
• Yellow Crayon Fund

The Down syndrome Center as part of the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University is a 501(c)(3) charity. Your gift is tax-deductible and you may take a charitable deduction as provided by law. Donations may be made by cash, check, or credit card as follows:

• Cash and checks: Make all checks payable to Emory University, Department of Human Genetics.
• Credit card donation: Please provide in print: Your name, address, phone, credit card type with number and Expiration date. Your signature is needed as well.

Memo: When making a donation by cash, check, or credit card, please make a note that your gift is to go to the Down Syndrome Center. Specify a branch of the Center, if desired.

For more information on charitable giving and how you can make a difference, please call the Clinical Programs Office of Development 404-778-5175.