George T. Capone, M.D.

Kennedy Krieger Institute
707 N. Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205

Dr. George Capone is a research scientist and director of the Down Syndrome Clinic and Research Center (DSCRC) at Kennedy Krieger Institute and is also an 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 medical degree from the University of Connecticut in 1983. After a residency and fellowship in pediatrics at the Children's 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 Kennedy Krieger Institute's Down Syndrome Clinic and Research Center (DSCRC), and is an attending physician on the institute'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 and 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. Marie Andachter, 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 cognitive disabilities between 36-54 months. Dana Herman, Research Coordinator, (877) 850-3372

LINK: SciVal Experts Research Profile for George Capone

Research Studies:

• Children and adolescents, ages 10-17, with Down syndrome
• Individuals, ages 7-17, with Down syndrome (Flyer)
• Individuals, ages 7-17, with Down syndrome (Brochure)