Research

Overview

Dr. Ptomey's primary research focus is the promotion of weight management and physical activity in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down syndrome. This population is undeserved and at an increased risk of obesity and its related co-occurring conditions, including Alzheimer's Disease. There is minimal research looking at strategies to improve diet, physical activity, and weight management in individuals with IDD. Dr. Ptomey has completed the largest and longest weight management and physical activity studies for this population, and her work has informed informed several healthcare and policy recommendations.

Dr. Ptomey's secondary research focus is the prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in adults with Down syndrome. She recently completed the first long-term exercise trial examining the impact of exercise on factors related to Alzheimer's Disease in adults with Down syndrome, and is currently a site PI for the NIH funded Alzheimer's Biomarker Consortium-Down syndrome (U19 AG068054) and Clinical Trials to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome (R61 AG066543) longitudinal cohorts.

  • A Dyadic Approach for a Remote Physical Activity Intervention in Adults with Alzheimer's Disease and their Caregivers, NIA, PI
  • The Promotion of Physical Activity for the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease in Adults with Down Syndrome, NIA, PI
  • The impact of Weight Loss on Alzheimer’s Disease Risk in Adults with Down Syndrome, NIA, PI
  • Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium – Down Syndrome , NIA
  • Ptomey, L., T, Washburn, R., A, Goetz, J., R, Sullivan, D., K, Gibson, C., A, Mayo, M., S, Krebill, R, Gorczyca, A., M, Montgomery, R., N, Honas, J., J, Helsel, B., C, Donnelly, J., E. 2021. Weight Loss Interventions for Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: An RCT.. Pediatrics, 148 (3)
  • Ptomey, L., T, Wittenbrook, W. 2015. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and special health care needs.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115 (4), 593-608
  • Curtin, C, Hyman, S., L, Boas, D., D, Hassink, S, Broder-Fingert, S, Ptomey, L., T, Gillette, M., D, Fleming, R., K, Must, A, Bandini, L., G. 2020. Weight Management in Primary Care for Children With Autism: Expert Recommendations.. Pediatrics, 145 (Suppl 1), S126-S139
  • Ptomey, L., T, Szabo, A., N, Willis, E., A, Gorczyca, A., M, Greene, J., L, Danon, J., C, Donnelly, J., E. 2018. Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome.. Disability and health journal, 11 (3), 486-490
  • Ptomey, L., T, Steger, F., L, Lee, J, Sullivan, D., K, Goetz, J., R, Honas, J., J, Washburn, R., A, Gibson, C., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2018. Changes in Energy Intake and Diet Quality during an 18-Month Weight-Management Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 118 (6), 1087-1096
  • McClung, H., L, Ptomey, L., T, Shook, R., P, Aggarwal, A, Gorczyca, A., M, Sazonov, E., S, Becofsky, K, Weiss, R, Das, S., K. 2018. Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Assessment: Current Tools, Techniques, and Technologies for Use in Adult Populations.. American journal of preventive medicine, 55 (4), e93-e104
  • Willis, E., A, Szabo-Reed, A., N, Ptomey, L., T, Steger, F., L, Honas, J., J, Al-Hihi, E., M, Lee, R, Lee, J, Oh, Y, Washburn, R., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2017. Distance learning strategies for weight management utilizing online social networks versus group phone conference call.. Obesity science & practice, 3 (2), 134-142
  • Ptomey, L., T, Herrmann, S., D, Lee, J, Sullivan, D., K, Rondon, M., F, Donnelly, J., E. 2013. Photo-assisted recall increases estimates of energy and macronutrient intake in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113 (12), 1704-9
  • Ptomey, L., T, Willis, E., A, Honas, J., J, Mayo, M., S, Washburn, R., A, Herrmann, S., D, Sullivan, D., K, Donnelly, J., E. 2015. Validity of energy intake estimated by digital photography plus recall in overweight and obese young adults.. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 115 (9), 1392-9
  • Ptomey, L., T, Willis, E., A, Greene, J., L, Danon, J., C, Chumley, T., K, Washburn, R., A, Donnelly, J., E. 2017. The Feasibility of Group Video Conferencing for Promotion of Physical Activity in Adolescents With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.. American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilities, 122 (6), 525-538