Articles tagged with Down Syndrome
Children with Down syndrome who exhibit symptoms of both childhood dysarthria and apraxia may be inadequately diagnosed, leading to ineffective treatment. A new study suggests that these children should be treated for all symptoms, regardless of diagnosis.
Researchers identified a set of proteins that play a key role in preventing errors during healthy cell formation. The study sheds light on mechanisms involved in egg cell formation and may aid understanding of infertility, stillbirths, and birth defects.
Biochemists at UTA are mapping sulfur-oxidizing enzyme catalytic processes to improve understanding of chemical imbalances in autism, Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. The team aims to develop effective therapies and drugs for these conditions.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered the molecular cause of peripheral nervous system dysfunction in Down syndrome. A gene called RCAN1 appears to be overactive, hindering nerve growth and development, which may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and immune disorders associated with the condition.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered a new potential treatment for MECP2 duplication syndrome by normalizing MeCP2 levels using antisense oligonucleotides. This approach largely reversed behavioral, molecular, and other deficits in mice, providing hope for human treatment.
Researchers are developing a simple, inexpensive blood test that can detect the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Down syndrome. The test aims to identify people who will develop the disease before cognitive symptoms appear.
A new study suggests using contingent screening could detect higher proportions of affected pregnancies, but parental choices limit its impact. Only 60% of women considered high-risk after standard first-trimester screening choose cfDNA testing, resulting in a limited effect on live births with trisomy 21.
Researchers at Temple University Health System have identified a regulatory enzyme defect in Down syndrome that also malfunctions in Alzheimer's disease, leading to the formation of toxic amyloid plaques in the brain. This discovery could lead to the development of a targeted therapy to mitigate dementia in Down syndrome.
Pediatric researchers have developed new growth charts for U.S. children with Down syndrome, providing a tool for pediatricians to evaluate growth patterns and nutritional status. The new charts show improvements in weight gain and height for children under age three, while also creating BMI charts to screen patients for excess body fat.
A recent study suggests that offering pregnant women a DNA test for Down's syndrome on the NHS could reduce the number of invasive tests and potentially save lives. The 'cell-free' DNA test has been found to be highly reliable and can be easily incorporated into routine clinical care within the NHS.
A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has confirmed the pathogenic role of beta amyloid in dementia, both in Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that people with Down syndrome develop abnormal protein at twice the rate, providing insights into how Alzheimer's naturally progresses.
Research identifies a key trouble spot in the brain that contributes to intellectual disability in Down syndrome, shedding light on disrupted brain networks. The study suggests therapies targeting these networks may be beneficial for future treatments.
Researchers discovered differences in brain inflammation between people with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease alone. The study found higher levels of inflammatory markers M2b in Down syndrome-related Alzheimer's, highlighting the need for tailored treatments.
New brain-imaging research has found that the cortex is thicker on average in youth with Down Syndrome than in typically developing youth, despite lower overall cortical volume. This finding may provide new insights into early onset Alzheimer's disease susceptibility in individuals with Down Syndrome.
Children and teens with Down syndrome are at higher risk for behavioral medications, study finds. The odds of being on a stimulant increased with age, while antidepressant use rose with age, suggesting changing mental health needs over time.
A new national study in the Netherlands reveals that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is accurate and preferred by pregnant women at high risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome. The TRIDENT study found 89 cases of trisomy 21, 11 of trisomy 18, and ten of trisomy 13, with only nine false positives.
Researchers from the UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital found non-invasive prenatal testing to be highly effective and acceptable to parents. Over 2,500 women underwent NIPT for high and medium risk pregnancies with Down's syndrome, showing a sharp decrease in invasive tests and increased detection rates.
Researchers found that FDA-approved cancer drugs nilotinib or bafetinib can prevent overgrowth of neuron endings associated with Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. The study used fruit fly models, showing the drugs did not harm healthy brain development.
A study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment found that Catatonia is a treatable cause of regression in individuals with Down syndrome. Patients treated for Catatonia showed improvement, regaining baseline functioning.
Researchers at MIT and Case Western Reserve University will collaborate to advance understanding of Down syndrome, aiming to improve quality of life for those born with it. The collaboration will focus on developing personalized human stem cell models and testing potential therapeutic treatments.
The Alana Foundation has awarded $1.7 million to Case Western Reserve University and MIT to advance research on new chemical compounds for treating Down syndrome. The study will test the effects of these compounds on cells involved in cognitive function, aiming to improve cognitive abilities in individuals with the condition.
A blood test between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy accurately diagnosed all 38 fetuses with Down syndrome, surpassing standard non-invasive screening techniques. The cell-free DNA blood test correctly identified fetuses with two other less common chromosomal abnormalities.
The American Society of Human Genetics and the European Society of Human Genetics issued a joint position statement on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), exploring its promise and drawbacks. NIPT has improved accuracy and safety in prenatal screening, but raises concerns about over-expansion and loss of ultrasound data.
A team of UH College of Optometry researchers aims to improve the vision of individuals with Down syndrome using computer-simulated prescribing strategies. The study, funded by the National Eye Institute, hopes to demonstrate improved visual acuity with new prescription methods that consider optical distortions in the eyes.
The non-invasive first trimester blood test reliably detects Down syndrome in over 99% of cases, making it superior to other testing methods.
A study of individuals with Down syndrome has identified large rare deletions involving cilia genes as common causes of congenital heart defects. The research also suggests that these genetic alterations may impact other organs beyond the heart, leading to personalized healthcare approaches for affected individuals.
Researchers found that reduced levels of SNX27 protein lead to increased beta-amyloid production and brain plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Adding new copies of the SNX27 gene can repair memory deficits in Down syndrome mice.
A UCSF study found that educating pregnant women about their choices on prenatal genetic testing leads to a decrease in the number of tests. Women who received clear information and unbiased guidance were less likely to undergo diagnostic testing, scoring higher in knowledge of genetic testing.
Researchers studied adults with Down syndrome to understand the role of amyloid-β protein in memory and cognitive function. Contrary to expectations, many individuals with elevated amyloid-β levels did not exhibit negative consequences, highlighting the complexity of Alzheimer's disease.
A Dartmouth study reveals a new protein linkage pathway that may help explain the molecular mechanisms behind birth defects in older women. The research shows that immature egg cells create replacement linkages after DNA replication, essential for maintaining meiotic cohesion over time.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have identified two genes, RAS and JAK, that are mutated in most cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children. This discovery may lead to more targeted treatment protocols with fewer side effects for these patients.
Research identifies RAS oncogene involvement in DS-ALL cases, highlighting genetic insights into leukemia risk in children with Down syndrome. Geneticists sequenced exomes of affected individuals, shedding light on disease characteristics.
Researchers reanalyze Flores bones, finding features indicative of Down syndrome, including cranial asymmetry and short thigh bones. The analysis challenges the original claim of a new 'hobbit' human species, instead suggesting a developmental disorder.
Scientists identify astroglial cells as crucial players in Down syndrome's abnormal neuron development and find that an inexpensive antibiotic can correct many abnormalities. They also show that minocycline, a commonly used tetracycline antibiotic, promotes healthy interactions between astroglia and neurons.
A team of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators have uncovered a connection between Down syndrome and the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during childhood. The study found that an extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to abnormal B cells that grow uncontrollably, increasing the risk of ALL.
Researchers studied identical twins with trisomy 21 to understand gene expression changes. The study found that extra chromosome 21 affects entire genome, leading to various pathologies and disrupting cellular function.
A study published in Neurobiology of Aging has found a connection between the integrity of white matter connections in the brain and cognitive health in adults with Down syndrome. The research team identified biomarkers connected to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, which could potentially lead to earlier intervention and retard...
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that noninvasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA significantly reduced false positive results and had higher predictive values for detecting fetal trisomies 21 and 18 compared to standard screening methods.
Researchers identified SNX27's precise role in the pathway leading to memory and learning impairment, particularly in Down's syndrome. The study could lead to strategies to improve memory and learning abilities in those with the condition.
A study found that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) detected over 83% of chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomies 13, 18, and 21. The test was more accurate for women over 40, but had lower sensitivity for younger women.
Scientists have successfully silenced extra chromosome 21 in laboratory cultures of patient-derived stem cells using a gene-silencing strategy. This approach reveals genome-wide changes and offers hope for identifying cellular pathways deregulated in Down syndrome, paving the way for potential therapeutics.
Defective stem cell regulation throughout the body may contribute to learning and physical disabilities in people with Down syndrome. Reducing the expression of the Usp16 gene on chromosome 21 alleviates these defects and raises the possibility of an eventual therapy.
Researchers identified a compound that bolsters learning and memory in mice with a Down syndrome-like condition, enabling their cerebellum to grow normally. Further research is needed to understand the treatment's effects on learning and memory.
Researchers establish proof-of-principal for silencing extra chromosome 21 in cells, advancing translational research and surmounting major obstacle to 'chromosome therapy'. This breakthrough paves the way for studying cell pathologies and identifying genome-wide pathways implicated in Down syndrome.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found that a formoterol, an asthma medication, strengthens nerve connections in the hippocampus and improves contextual learning in mice with Down syndrome. The study provides initial proof-of-concept for targeting beta-2 adrenergic receptors as a potential treatment strategy.
Researchers have identified two genomic variations on chromosome 21 that are associated with the risk of congenital heart disease in people with Down syndrome. The study highlights the complex genetic architecture underlying this common symptom, which is also linked to an increased risk of chronic myeloid leukemia.
A new non-invasive prenatal test detecting fetal DNA in pregnant women's blood accurately identifies Down's syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. Routine screening using this test is superior to current methods, offering a reliable alternative for early detection.
University of Michigan researchers have discovered how a defective gene in Down syndrome is regulated and its impact on neurological development. By studying fruit fly neurons, they identified two molecular pathways that converge to regulate the gene's abundance, offering a possible therapeutic approach to an aspect of the syndrome.
New study finds Down syndrome neurons have reduced connections and high levels of oxidative stress, which could contribute to accelerated aging and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers hope to use these cells to test potential treatments for the condition.
Menstrual problems among adolescents with learning and physical disabilities are more common than in the general population. A new review highlights the need for individualized care and multidisciplinary teams to manage symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, and self-mutilation.
Researchers discovered that high cholesterol levels can cause defective cell division, leading to Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Cholesterol disrupts the process of cell division, resulting in cells with incorrect numbers of chromosomes and genes.
Researchers found that the extra chromosome 21 leads to reduced SNX27 protein levels, disrupting brain function. Restoring SNX27 in Down syndrome mice improves cognitive function and behavior.
A new case study by the University of Alberta's ISTAR Institute shows that fluency shaping can significantly improve a child's speech in individuals with Down syndrome who stutter. Four months of treatment led to a 98.6% improvement in Sarah's fluency, enabling her to function better socially and academically.
Researchers analyzed 48 studies on second trimester markers and found that most single markers have only a small effect on modifying the odds for Down's syndrome. However, some markers such as dilated brain ventricles, increased neck thickness, and absent nose bone significantly increase the risk by three- to four-fold.
A UCI study reveals that people with Down syndrome are more susceptible to other conditions due to a breakdown in energy metabolism within brain cells. This metabolic dysfunction contributes to the higher probability of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and autistic spectrum disorders.
A new study investigated muscle weakness in a mouse model of Down syndrome and found that factors in the nervous system may play a more dominant role in explaining muscle weakness. The research team discovered altered pathways in DS muscle, including breakdown of proteins and neuromuscular transmission.
Researchers found that lithium boosts neurogenesis in the hippocampus of Down syndrome mice, leading to improved cognitive function. The results suggest that lithium-based therapies may be effective in treating Down syndrome patients.
Researchers at NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that prenatal intervention with neuroprotective peptides reduces learning deficits in mice with Down syndrome-like characteristics. The study suggests potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with Down syndrome.
Yuk Ming Dennis Lo received the Illy Trieste Science Prize for developing non-invasive prenatal diagnosis technology that can scan a fetus's genome from a pregnant mother's blood sample. This technology has reduced reliance on invasive methods and offers concrete benefits to both mothers and fetuses during pregnancy.
Researchers have identified a shared signalling pathway in mice that leads to intellectual disability in both Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. The study reveals that the Down syndrome critical region 1 protein interacts with the Fragile X mental retardation protein to regulate dendritic spine formation.