Articles tagged with 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.
A recent report by Queen Mary University of London reveals that congenital anomalies are underreported due to lack of national surveillance, with 2.2% of babies affected in England and Wales in 2010. The prevalence of anomalies was consistent with those in other European registers.
Researchers have discovered a drug that boosts memory function in individuals with Down syndrome, improving verbal episodic memory and showing significant improvement in cognitive abilities. The study suggests potential implications for slowing down or halting the development of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome.
Researchers have identified 29 differentially expressed proteins in maternal serum from pregnancies carrying Down syndrome fetuses. These proteins show promise as potential biomarkers for improving the performance of Down syndrome screening, but further clinical verification is needed.
A novel assay analyzes fetal cell-free DNA in maternal blood to screen for trisomy 21 and 18. The test is nearly 100% accurate, with a low false positive rate of 0.03%. It has the potential to replace current aneuploidy screening methods.
Research published in PLoS ONE reveals that photographs of children with Down syndrome elicit less positive attitudes than those of typically developing children. The study found a strong negative bias among caregivers working with intellectually disabled persons.
Researchers at Stanford University highlight potential treatments for cognitive dysfunction in Down syndrome, which shares similarities with Alzheimer's disease. The review focuses on insights from animal models and structural abnormalities in the DS brain.
A study in a mouse model of Down syndrome identifies increased expression of protein Dyrk1a as a promoter of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, offering a candidate therapeutic target for treatment.
Scientists developed a novel biochemical assay and algorithm to detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities in maternal blood, achieving high accuracy and efficiency compared to existing methods. The new approach has the potential to reduce unnecessary invasive testing and improve screening for Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
A study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting demonstrated that massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA can detect all three most prevalent fetal aneuploidies. The test showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and high accuracy for other autosomal aneuploidies.
Aria Diagnostics published peer-reviewed data for a new noninvasive prenatal test that accurately detects Trisomy 21 and Trisomy 18 with improved efficiency. The technology offers significant improvement over existing approaches, enabling cost-effective and scalable analysis of cell-free DNA in maternal blood.
A new study published in The Lancet shows that memantine is ineffective for patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome aged 40 years and older. The drug was tested on 88 patients with or without dementia, but showed no significant improvement in cognition and function compared to a placebo group.
William C. Mobley, chair of UC San Diego's Department of Neurosciences, received the International Sisley-Jérôme Lejeune Prize for his innovative research on treatments for neurological disabilities, including Down syndrome. The prize acknowledges his contributions to advancing care and management of intellectual disabilities.
Biologists have identified two critical genes, DSCAM and COL6A2, responsible for congenital heart defects in individuals with Down syndrome. These genes disrupt cardiac development and function when produced at elevated levels. The study used a novel approach combining fruit flies and mice to untangle the problem.
A new DNA-based prenatal blood test can significantly reduce the number of risky diagnostic procedures needed to identify pregnancies with Down syndrome. The test identified 98.6% of affected pregnancies while only 0.2% of normal pregnancies were misidentified as positive.
A 16-year study confirms the accuracy of autism diagnosis in children with Down syndrome using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The research found that clinicians can use the DSM to identify autism spectrum disorders in these individuals, providing them with targeted educational and intervention services.
A researcher has found that individuals with Down syndrome have substantially altered key eye reflexes, leading to poor balance and motor coordination. The study's findings could lead to new tools for assessing the effectiveness of treatments aimed at improving quality of life.
A clinical trial is underway at the University of Colorado to test a drug that could improve memory and learning in those with Down syndrome. The study, led by Dr. Alberto Costa, aims to enhance brain function and potentially increase hope for those affected.
Researchers used a brain scan to assess amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in adults with Down syndrome, revealing higher levels in all brain regions compared to healthy controls. The study found significant associations between increased age and higher binding values in specific brain areas.
Scientists developed a new method, GROMIT, to study gene regulation by employing a jumping gene as an informant. The technique revealed that each regulatory element can control a broader range of genes than previously thought, and expression levels are fine-tuned at the tissue level.
A new noninvasive test for trisomy 21 has been developed using DNA sequencing of maternal blood plasma, accurately detecting the extra chromosome in 100% sensitivity and 99.7% specificity. The test shows promise as a potential alternative to invasive prenatal testing.
Researchers at UBC-VCH have discovered that excess production of RCAN1 protein sets off a chain reaction killing brain cells in people with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. This finding provides a potential new target for drugs to prevent dementia in both populations.
The Kennedy Krieger Institute will conduct research on the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome. The studies aim to establish criteria for early diagnosis and develop methods to identify mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a battery of computer-based tests that can quickly assess cognitive abilities in individuals with Down syndrome. The tests, which take about two hours to administer, offer a new tool for clinicians and researchers to determine developmental trajectory and devise drug and behaviora...
Researchers found that reducing beta-amyloid levels in young mice with a Down syndrome-like genetic anomaly significantly improved their ability to learn. The study suggests that drugs targeting gamma-secretase may offer therapeutic benefits for children with Down syndrome, who develop cognitive decline and dementia in adulthood.
A new study found that choline supplementation during pregnancy and nursing may improve cognitive and emotional abilities in people with Down syndrome. The research also suggests potential protection against neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers has discovered that amyloid-β protein accumulates in the eyes of people with Down syndrome, leading to distinctive cataracts. The findings may lead to an innovative eye test for early detection of Alzheimer's pathology in both disorders.
A four-year grant supports the development of updated growth charts based on data from 600 children with Down syndrome. The charts will better represent growth patterns and body mass index changes, enabling healthcare professionals to plan treatment and design preventive health programs.
A recent study suggests that a deficiency of protein in the brain may contribute to cognitive impairment and congenital heart defects in Down syndrome patients. Researchers found lower levels of the protein in brains with Down syndrome compared to healthy controls, and an experimental drug increased its production.
Studies implicate beta amyloid protein in shared disease mechanisms with Alzheimer's, Down syndrome, and atherosclerosis. Damage to microtubule network disrupts cholesterol metabolism and insulin signaling.
Researchers found that adding a genetic sonogram to non-invasive prenatal screening increases the detection rate of Down syndrome by up to 98%, while decreasing false positive rates. This maximizes the capacity for noninvasive detection with currently available technology.
A study by neuroscientist William C. Mobley demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing cognitive decline in Down's syndrome using a pro-drug for norepinephrine, rescuing cognition in mice.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that boosting norepinephrine signaling in mice with Down syndrome-like conditions improves cognition. The researchers suggest using existing medications targeting depression and ADHD to treat the condition.
A new study reveals a 71% increase in Down syndrome pregnancies and births over 20 years, largely due to women delaying childbearing. Despite this rise, improvements in prenatal screening have maintained the number of babies born with the condition at around 750 per year.
Researchers have discovered a new chromosomal abnormality in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that is particularly common in children with Down syndrome. The finding has led to the development of new diagnostic tests and potential treatments, including an experimental medication targeting one of the altered genes.
Research offers recommendations for doctors diagnosing prenatal Down syndrome, including who should deliver the news and what information to provide. Mothers prefer receiving diagnosis from healthcare professionals with the most knowledge, and benefiting from up-to-date information about DS and personal stories of children with DS.
The introduction of new prenatal tests for Down syndrome has led to a steady decrease in births of babies with the condition since their introduction. Experts argue that existing tests may not be providing accurate information, leading to difficult conversations between physicians and expectant parents. To address this, researchers are...
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reveals that 94% of adults with Down syndrome have obstructive sleep apnea. The severity of OSA was found to be higher than expected, with most subjects having at least moderate to severe disease.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a novel treatment for children with high-risk leukemia, leveraging a similar mutation linked to Down syndrome and polycythemia vera in adults. The JAK2 inhibitor offers promise as an alternative to chemotherapy, potentially reducing toxicity costs.
Researchers have found that a mutation in just one copy of the Bub1 gene can lead to aneuploidy in mice, increasing the risk of genetic disorders like Down syndrome and pregnancy loss. The study's findings suggest that age is also a contributing factor, with older female mice having fewer offspring.
Research in mice and human stem cells identified specific new therapeutic targets for treating cancer, including a gene called Dscr1 that suppresses angiogenesis and tumor growth. The study suggests that people with Down syndrome may benefit from an extra dose of one or more cancer-protective genes.
Researchers have found a connection between Sanfilippo syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that new Alzheimer's drugs may provide therapy for the currently untreatable metabolic disorder. The study identified key proteins involved in the development of the disease, which could lead to effective treatment options.
Researchers have discovered protein aggregates in Sanfilippo syndrome type B that are similar to neurofibrillary tangles found in Alzheimer's disease. This finding suggests that new dementia treatments may also benefit patients with this rare genetic disorder, offering hope for improved treatment options.
A newly identified molecular pathway directed stem cells to produce glial cells, providing insights into the neurobiology of Down's syndrome and central nervous system disorders. The study found that synaptojanin-1 is essential for glia production, which may lead to the development of drugs that inhibit glial proliferation.
Researchers at the University of Denver are conducting a groundbreaking study to improve teaching methods for young children with Down syndrome. The study aims to compare two early literacy intervention approaches and will involve parents implementing an at-home program for approximately 10 months.