 | George T. Capone, M.D. Director, Down Syndrome Program, Kennedy Krieger Institute Dr. George Capone is a research scientist at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is also Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. |
Biographical Sketch:
Dr. Capone attended college at Wesleyan University and worked as a research assistant at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston before obtaining his MD from the University of Connecticut in 1983. After a residency and fellowship in pediatrics at the Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Dr. Capone came to Baltimore in 1988 to pursue a fellowship in neurobiology research at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Capone currently serves as the director of KKI’s Down Syndrome Clinic, and is an Attending Physician on KKI’s Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit.
Research Summary:
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 733 live births. It is caused most often by an abnormality during cell division in gamete formation called nondysjunction. As a result, the fertilized egg will contain three copies of chromosome 21. The extra chromosome interferes with normal growth and development.
Dr. Capone and his colleagues are committed to research that explores the neurobiologic basis of cognitive impairment and co-morbid neurobehavioral and psychiatric disorders associated with Down syndrome.
Current Research Projects:
A study to characterize the behavioral characteristics of children and adolescents-adults with Down syndrome experiencing behavioral problems, developmental/functional decline and sleep problems ages 3-30 years
Kay Taylor, Clinic & Research Coordinator, 443-923-9140
A multi-center, double-blind placebo study in collaboration with Duke University testing the usefulness of an FDA approved drug, Rivastigmine, on memory and language function in children with Down syndrome ages 10-17 years.
Nick Hernandez, Research Coordinator, 443-923-7716
A multi-center pilot study, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University for children with Down syndrome ages 8-17 years, to determine the usefulness of computer-based testing to measure visual memory and movement. Some standardized testing will also be performed, and your child’s test results will be made available to you.
Nick Hernandez, Research Coordinator, 443-923-7716
A multi-center study, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University for children with Down syndrome under 18 years of age to examine genetic and environmental factors that increase the chance of congenital heart defects. We are looking for individuals with AV Canal defect, and individuals with no structural cardiac defect.
Charnan Koller RN, Research Coordinator, 443-923-9131
A study led by Dr. Rebecca Landa of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, looking at the development of memory and learning skills in children with Down syndrome between 36-54 months.
Dana Herman, Research Coordinator, 1-877-850-3372
Dr. Capone and his colleagues are committed to research that explores the neurobiologic basis of cognitive impairment and co-morbid neurobehavioral and psychiatric disorders associated with Down syndrome.
Current Research Projects:
A study to characterize the behavioral characteristics of children and adolescents-adults with Down syndrome experiencing behavioral problems, developmental/functional decline and sleep problems ages 3-30 years
Kay Taylor, Clinic & Research Coordinator, 443-923-9140
A multi-center, double-blind placebo study in collaboration with Duke University testing the usefulness of an FDA approved drug, Rivastigmine, on memory and language function in children with Down syndrome ages 10-17 years.
Nick Hernandez, Research Coordinator, 443-923-7716
A multi-center pilot study, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University for children with Down syndrome ages 8-17 years, to determine the usefulness of computer-based testing to measure visual memory and movement. Some standardized testing will also be performed, and your child’s test results will be made available to you.
Nick Hernandez, Research Coordinator, 443-923-7716
A multi-center study, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University for children with Down syndrome under 18 years of age to examine genetic and environmental factors that increase the chance of congenital heart defects. We are looking for individuals with AV Canal defect, and individuals with no structural cardiac defect.
Charnan Koller RN, Research Coordinator, 443-923-9131
A study led by Dr. Rebecca Landa of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, looking at the development of memory and learning skills in children with Down syndrome between 36-54 months.
Dana Herman, Research Coordinator, 1-877-850-3372
Recent Publications/Presentations:
G. Capone (2009) Behavioral Phenotypes in Down Syndrome: a probabilistic model. In Neurobehavioral Phenotypes: research & practice (Ed. B. Shapiro and P. Accardo) Brookes Publishers, Baltimore
G. Capone, P. Goyal, M. Grados, B. Smith, H. Kammann (2008) Risperidone in children with Down syndrome, severe intellectual disability and co-morbid autistic spectrum disorders: a naturalistic study. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 29:106-116
J. Carter, G. Capone, W. Kaufmann (2008) Neuroanatomic correlates of autism and stereotypy in children with Down syndrome. NeuroReport 19(6):653-656
P. Mehta , G. Capone , A. Jewell and R. Freedland (2007) Amyloid beta protein in children with Down syndrome. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 254:22-27
G. Capone, P. Goyal, W. Ares, and E. Lannigan (2006) Neurobehavioral Disorders in Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults with Down Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 142C:158-172.
G. Capone, M. Grados, W. Kaufmann, S. Bernad-Ripoll, and A. Jewell, (2005) Down Syndrome & Comorbid Autism-Spectrum Disorder: Characterization Using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 134A:373-380.
G. Capone, P. Kim, L. Payne, L. Freund, K. Welch, E. Miller and M. Trush (2002) Evidence for increased mitochondrial superoxide formation in Down syndrome. Life Sciences 70:1-11.
G. Capone, P. Goyal, M. Grados, B. Smith, H. Kammann (2008) Risperidone in children with Down syndrome, severe intellectual disability and co-morbid autistic spectrum disorders: a naturalistic study. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 29:106-116
J. Carter, G. Capone, W. Kaufmann (2008) Neuroanatomic correlates of autism and stereotypy in children with Down syndrome. NeuroReport 19(6):653-656
P. Mehta , G. Capone , A. Jewell and R. Freedland (2007) Amyloid beta protein in children with Down syndrome. Journal of the Neurological Sciences 254:22-27
G. Capone, P. Goyal, W. Ares, and E. Lannigan (2006) Neurobehavioral Disorders in Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults with Down Syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 142C:158-172.
G. Capone, M. Grados, W. Kaufmann, S. Bernad-Ripoll, and A. Jewell, (2005) Down Syndrome & Comorbid Autism-Spectrum Disorder: Characterization Using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. American Journal of Medical Genetics, 134A:373-380.
G. Capone, P. Kim, L. Payne, L. Freund, K. Welch, E. Miller and M. Trush (2002) Evidence for increased mitochondrial superoxide formation in Down syndrome. Life Sciences 70:1-11.
Contact Information:
George T. Capone, MD
Director, Down Syndrome Program
Research Scientist
Division of Neurology & Developmental Medicine
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205
(map & directions)
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Email & phone contacts:
Kay Taylor
Clinic & Research Coordinator
Down Syndrome Clinic
Neuropsychiatric Study
taylork@kennedykrieger.org
Phone: 443-923-9140
FAx: 443-923-9138
Charnan Koller
Senior Research Coordinator
Heart Study
Down Syndrome Clinic
koller@kennedykrieger.org
443-923-9131
Nick Hernandez
Research Coordinator
Computer-based Cognitive Study
Rivastigmine Study
Hernandez@kennedykrieger.org
443-923-7716
Faculty | Clinical Programs | Research
Director, Down Syndrome Program
Research Scientist
Division of Neurology & Developmental Medicine
Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205
(map & directions)
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Email & phone contacts:
Kay Taylor
Clinic & Research Coordinator
Down Syndrome Clinic
Neuropsychiatric Study
taylork@kennedykrieger.org
Phone: 443-923-9140
FAx: 443-923-9138
Charnan Koller
Senior Research Coordinator
Heart Study
Down Syndrome Clinic
koller@kennedykrieger.org
443-923-9131
Nick Hernandez
Research Coordinator
Computer-based Cognitive Study
Rivastigmine Study
Hernandez@kennedykrieger.org
443-923-7716