Exploring Sympathetic Nervous System Function in Individuals With Down Syndrome (DIVE)

October 9, 2026 updated by: University of Colorado, Denver

Dysautonomia InVestigation in Individuals With Down SyndromE: DIVE Study

Down syndrome (DS), the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, is associated with widespread organ dysfunction, including abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS regulates critical functions such as heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), both essential for maintaining homeostasis and supporting physical activity. Individuals with DS often exhibit blunted HR responses to exercise-typically ~30 beats per minute below expected levels-suggesting reduced sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. The SNS governs rapid changes in HR and BP during stress by releasing catecholamines: epinephrine (from the adrenal medulla) and norepinephrine (from sympathetic nerve endings). Despite its importance, SNS function has not been comprehensively assessed among individuals with DS.

This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by evaluating SNS responses to physiological stressors in individuals with DS. The investigators will measure beat-to-beat HR and BP, along with plasma catecholamine levels, in response to sympathetic activation, comparing individuals with DS to age- and sex-matched controls. Understanding the mechanisms of SNS dysfunction in DS is vital, as it likely underlies reduced exercise capacity and contributes to broader clinical challenges. These insights may guide targeted interventions to improve cardiovascular function, physical capacity, and overall quality of life in this understudied population.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Evolution has equipped each species with instinctual defense mechanisms to cope with environmental stressors, ensuring survival. Many of these mechanisms are driven by activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which orchestrates the "fight or flight" response. Systemic SNS activation extends across all organ systems, triggering the release of catecholamines to elevate heart rate (HR) and increase blood pressure (BP) to meet the heightened metabolic demands of the stressor and ensure the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to active tissues. Exercise, a potent sympathoexcitatory stressor, poses a major challenge to the oxygen transport system, requiring coordinated organ system function to increase both HR and BP. Dysregulated SNS activation can impair oxygen delivery, leading to reduced work capacity, quality of life, and is an independent predictor of morbidity and premature mortality. Therefore, experimental approaches to understand SNS activation in populations with reduced work capacity and premature morbidity, mortality is of upmost importance for improving health outcomes and quality of life on a population level.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality in the human population, with widespread effects across numerous tissues and organ systems, including accelerated biological aging. Individuals with DS exhibit reduced work capacity, with maximal HRs ~30 beats below normal, and face higher rates of premature morbidity and mortality than the general population. Notably, individuals with DS demonstrate blunted catecholamine response to the sympathetic stressor of maximal exercise, suggesting diminished SNS activation. Recent literature from this PI suggests altered peripheral blood flow and BP regulation among individuals with DS during large muscle mass exercise which immolates walking, or running- critical for survival. These findings align with recent evidence of hypoxic signaling, elevated heme metabolism, and stress erythropoiesis across the lifespan in this population. Together, these data suggest that impaired oxygen delivery, potentially linked to SNS dysregulation, may be more widespread in DS than previously recognized.

However, the role of SNS activation in the context of daily stressors which elevate both HR and BP, remains unclear. Understanding the mechanisms underlying SNS dysfunction in DS is crucial, as it likely contributes to many clinical and developmental challenges, including the underlying reduced work capacity and suggested autonomic dysfunction observed in this population. Addressing this gap may enable targeted therapies to enhance survival, longevity, and quality of life for individuals with DS. The investigators aim to systematically evaluate SNS activation through four stressors which mimic common stressors faced to any individual over the course of a day or lifespan. Through evaluation of plasma catecholamines, the investigators hope to elucidate the mechanisms and impact of catecholamine responses in individuals with DS compared typical responses observed among individuals without DS.

Aim 1. Characterize the catecholamine response to physiological stressors among individuals with DS. The investigators will assess SNS responses in individuals with DS and age- and sex-matched controls. Beat-to-beat HR and BP, along with plasma catecholamine levels will be collected in response to the following sympathetic stressors: A) Cold Stress, B) Handgrip with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia, C) Head-up Tilt, and D) Maximal Dynamic Exercise (VO2peak). Metabolomics and proteomics will be performed on the plasma samples and these efforts will help define the manifestations of hormonal SNS dysfunction in individuals with DS.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
200

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Colorado
      • Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045
        • Recruiting
        • Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 50 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-50 yrs old and apparently healthy individuals
  • Ability to understand the study and give assent to participate
  • Has a study partner who can attend all visits for the individuals with DS, and answer questionnaires, provide consent when necessary
  • Corrected or non-existent congenital heart disease
  • Euthyroid or on stable thyroid medication dose for at least 6 months
  • Free from cardiovascular, pulmonary, inflammatory, or metabolic disease in the past 6 months that would prevent participation in study procedures
  • BMI <45kg/m2
  • Ability to tolerate repeated blood draws / catheter placement

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥140 and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥90 mmHg) this includes those on medications to treat hypertension
  • Hypotension (resting BP of <90/60 mmHg)
  • Cancer in the last six months
  • Any heart-rate-altering medications or any other medication that may modify metabolic responses
  • Self-reported diabetes or use of glucose-lowering medication
  • Tobacco products, including vaping, or marijuana use
  • Currently pregnant
  • Post-menopausal women

Specific Exclusion Criteria for Certain Stressors:

  • Orthopedic limitations that would prohibit exercise or movement for exercise
  • Fracture of limb to be immersed for CPT
  • Open cut or sore on hand to be immersed for CPT
  • Raynaud's syndrome for CPT

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Individuals with Down syndrome

The investigators will be recruiting participants between the ages of 18-50 for the study investigating responses to four sympathetic stressors compared to age and sex matched individuals without Down syndrome.
Other: Cold Stress

Cold triggers the sympathetic nervous system, known as the 'fight-or-flight' response, which prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and releasing catecholamines. These measurements will be taken to examine how individuals with DS will respond during a cold stress test.

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a cold stress test in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • Cold Pressor Test
  • Cold Water
Other: Maximal Dynamic Exercise

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a treadmill maximal exercise test in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • VO2peak
  • Treadmill Exercise
Other: Isometric Handgrip Exercise with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a isometric handgrip exercise followed by an ischemic period which will be induced by a blood pressure cuff in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • Handgrip
  • Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia
Other: Head-up Tilt Table Test

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during passive head-up tilt testing which is a standardized, noninvasive clinical and research procedure used to characterize cardiovascular autonomic responses to orthostatic stress, among individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction.

Other Names:
  • Tilt Table
  • Orthostatic Stress
Experimental: Individuals without Down syndrome

The investigators will be recruiting individuals without Down syndrome between the ages of 18-50 to serve as the comparisons for individuals with Down syndrome across the four sympathetic stressors.
Other: Cold Stress

Cold triggers the sympathetic nervous system, known as the 'fight-or-flight' response, which prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and releasing catecholamines. These measurements will be taken to examine how individuals with DS will respond during a cold stress test.

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a cold stress test in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • Cold Pressor Test
  • Cold Water
Other: Maximal Dynamic Exercise

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a treadmill maximal exercise test in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • VO2peak
  • Treadmill Exercise
Other: Isometric Handgrip Exercise with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during a isometric handgrip exercise followed by an ischemic period which will be induced by a blood pressure cuff in individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction. This study will compare responses among individuals with Down syndrome to a control group without Down syndrome.

Other Names:
  • Handgrip
  • Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia
Other: Head-up Tilt Table Test

The investigators are looking at how plasma catecholamines (i.e., Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine), blood pressure, and heart rate are expressed during passive head-up tilt testing which is a standardized, noninvasive clinical and research procedure used to characterize cardiovascular autonomic responses to orthostatic stress, among individuals with Down syndrome, who have proposed autonomic dysfunction.

Other Names:
  • Tilt Table
  • Orthostatic Stress

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Seated Baseline Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines
Time Frame: Seated baseline blood draw, prior to stressors

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Seated baseline blood draw, prior to stressors
Standing Baseline Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines
Time Frame: Blood draw will occur in standing position, prior to head up tilt table testing

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Blood draw will occur in standing position, prior to head up tilt table testing
Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines During Cold Pressor Test
Time Frame: During the cold stress test, around or up to 5 minutes

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
During the cold stress test, around or up to 5 minutes
Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines During Handgrip Test
Time Frame: Blood draws occur around or up to 2-3 minutes into handgrip test

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Blood draws occur around or up to 2-3 minutes into handgrip test
Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines During Post Exercise Muscle Ischemia
Time Frame: Seated blood draw to occur, around or about 2-3 minutes into post exercise muscle ischemia

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Seated blood draw to occur, around or about 2-3 minutes into post exercise muscle ischemia
Supine Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines
Time Frame: Blood draws during or around 10 minutes of supine rest

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Blood draws during or around 10 minutes of supine rest
Supine Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines, 5 Minutes into Head-Up Tilt
Time Frame: At or around 5 minutes into the head-up tilt table stimulus

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
At or around 5 minutes into the head-up tilt table stimulus
Supine Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines, 10 Minutes into Head-Up Tilt
Time Frame: At or around 10 minutes into the head-up tilt table stimulus

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
At or around 10 minutes into the head-up tilt table stimulus
Baseline Standing Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines Prior to Maximal Exercise Test
Time Frame: Standing baseline blood draw, prior to maximal exercise test

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Standing baseline blood draw, prior to maximal exercise test
Standing Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines at End of Maximal Exercise Test
Time Frame: This blood draw will occur at the very end or immediately following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
This blood draw will occur at the very end or immediately following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill
Standing Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines, 30 Minutes Post Maximal Exercise
Time Frame: This blood draw will occur around 30 minutes following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
This blood draw will occur around 30 minutes following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill
Standing Concentration of Plasma Catecholamines, 60 Minutes Post Maximal Exercise
Time Frame: This blood draw will occur at the around 60 minutes following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill

Investigators will use metabolomic techniques to quantify plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These metabolites will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system activation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
This blood draw will occur at the around 60 minutes following the maximal exercise test on the treadmill
Seated Baseline Heart Rate, Prior to Cold Pressor Test
Time Frame: Resting seated baseline, prior to cold pressor test, up to or around 5 minutes

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat heart rate recordings in all participants before, during (in some stressors), and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Resting seated baseline, prior to cold pressor test, up to or around 5 minutes
Heart Rate Collected During Cold Pressor Test
Time Frame: Collected throughout the Cold Pressor Test, around 6 minutes in total

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat heart rate recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the Cold Pressor Test, around 6 minutes in total
Heart Rate, Maximal Exercise Test
Time Frame: Continuous heart rate recordings will take place throughout the maximal aerobic exercise test on the treadmill, up to or around 20 minutes

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat heart rate recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Continuous heart rate recordings will take place throughout the maximal aerobic exercise test on the treadmill, up to or around 20 minutes
Seated Baseline Blood Pressure, Prior to Cold Pressor Test
Time Frame: Resting seated baseline, prior to cold pressor test, up to or around 5 minutes

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat blood pressure recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Resting seated baseline, prior to cold pressor test, up to or around 5 minutes
Blood Pressure Collected During Cold Pressor Test
Time Frame: Collected throughout the Cold Pressor Test, around 6 minutes in total

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat blood pressure recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the Cold Pressor Test, around 6 minutes in total
Heart Rate Collected During Handgrip with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia
Time Frame: Collected throughout the Handgrip tests with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia, around 12 minutes in total

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat heart rate recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the Handgrip tests with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia, around 12 minutes in total
Heart Rate Collected During Head-Up Tilt Table Test
Time Frame: Collected throughout the Head-Up Tilt Table Test, around 25 minutes in total

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat heart rate recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the Head-Up Tilt Table Test, around 25 minutes in total
Blood Pressure Collected During Handgrip Test with Post-Exercise Muscle Ischemia
Time Frame: Collected throughout the handgrip test with post-exercise muscle ischemia, up to or around 12 minutes

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat blood pressure recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the handgrip test with post-exercise muscle ischemia, up to or around 12 minutes
Blood Pressure Collected During Head-Up Tilt Table Test
Time Frame: Collected throughout the head-up tilt table test, around 25 minutes in total

Investigators will collect beat-to-beat blood pressure recordings in all participants before, during, and after the four stressor tests. These cardiovascular perturbations will provide insight into sympathetic nervous system modulation in individuals with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.
Collected throughout the head-up tilt table test, around 25 minutes in total

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Facial Affective Scale Score, Baseline Assessment
Time Frame: Baseline Assessment of Facial Affective Scale, this will occur prior to any stressors.

Investigators will use the validated 'Facial Affective Scale', which uses a series of nine drawn faces showing various degrees of emotional distress to help participants assess their emotional state. The nine faces represent a range of negative to positive affect, and each face having a specific value between 0.04 (maximum positive affect) and 0.97 (maximum negative affect). The chosen face's corresponding value is the Facial Affective Score. This will take up to or around approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Baseline Assessment of Facial Affective Scale, this will occur prior to any stressors.
Facial Affective Scale Score, Cold Pressor Test, 1.5 Minutes
Time Frame: Assessment occurs around or up to 90 seconds (1.5 minutes) into cold water immersion

Investigators will use the validated 'Facial Affective Scale', which uses a series of nine drawn faces showing various degrees of emotional distress to help participants assess their emotional state. The nine faces represent a range of negative to positive affect, and each face having a specific value between 0.04 (maximum positive affect) and 0.97 (maximum negative affect). The chosen face's corresponding value is the Facial Affective Score.
Assessment occurs around or up to 90 seconds (1.5 minutes) into cold water immersion
Facial Affective Scale Score, Cold Pressor Test, Finale
Time Frame: Assessment occurs immediately following or during the last minute of the Cold Pressor Test, up to or around 6 minutes following placement of arm into cold

Investigators will use the validated 'Facial Affective Scale', which uses a series of nine drawn faces showing various degrees of emotional distress to help participants assess their emotional state. The nine faces represent a range of negative to positive affect, and each face having a specific value between 0.04 (maximum positive affect) and 0.97 (maximum negative affect). The chosen face's corresponding value is the Facial Affective Score.
Assessment occurs immediately following or during the last minute of the Cold Pressor Test, up to or around 6 minutes following placement of arm into cold

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Colorado, Denver

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome
GLOBAL Down Syndrome Foundation
University of Colorado Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 6, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 22, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 17, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 20, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 9, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 25-0503
  • T32AG000279 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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