A New Cause to Champion

The Christopher Smith Foundation is collaborating with the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) at the University of Southern California and with Cleveland Clinic/ Lou Ruvo Brain Institute in support of cutting-edge research. The partnership supports biomarker studies that track how beta-amyloid drives Alzheimer’s in trisomy 21 and explores protective genes that may delay onset, while building one of the nation’s largest Down-syndrome Alzheimer’s trial cohorts in modern history.

Medical research confirms that being born with Down syndrome confers a 95% lifetime risk of early onset Alzheimer’s disease, far above the 12% risk in the general population. Christophers family always knew this statistic as he began showing symptoms in his twenties, mirroring that grim statistic. Rather than retreat, the Smith’s redoubled efforts to connect scientists and caregivers confronting this dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s.

“We wanted more than monuments;” said Linda Smith this week, “we want cures so that other families get the help needed and important research gets done that might one day eradicate Alzheimer’s disease, not just in folks with Down syndrome, but in all of humankind.”

Christopher’s journey has reframed expectations for people with developmental disabilities: from institutionalization to college classes, from stigma to scientific priority. Each campus sign, caregiver hug, or research breakthrough extends his original gift—showing that a life some labeled “unwanted” can become a catalyst for systemic change.