S. 1838 — DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2026

This section directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish and carry out the INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project for research, training, and investigation on Down syndrome. The project must include high-risk research on trisomy 21 effects, lifespan cohort studies, expanded clinical trials for participants with Down syndrome, studies on biological mechanisms and co-occurring conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, and efforts to improve quality of life. It requires coordination across NIH institutes to avoid duplication, consultation with patient advocates, and biennial reports to Congress identifying participating institutes and any resulting real-world evidence.