Discovery of key abnormality affecting brain development in people with Down syndrome
For the first time, researchers have identified the lifelong changes in gene expression in the brains of people born with Down syndrome (DS). The findings may lead to possible therapies for DS patients. Ref. Source 8u.
Joey Feek’s Amazing Love for Her Baby With Down Syndrome is an Inspiration for Everyone
On March 4, the world of pop culture mourned the passing of Joey Feek. She was a country duet singer with her husband Rory, a TV and radio host, a mother of a child with Down syndrome, and, a woman who just gave the world an unforgettable lesson about the love of family, and death with true dignity. Ref. Source 1c.
Rhythm of oscillations in cerebral cortex, key to understanding Down syndrome
A first-ever identification has been made of the alterations in the neuronal circuit that impact cerebral cortex physiology, and that could be the cause of cognitive deficits in Down Syndrome. The study explains how a gene linked to Down Syndrome is associated with altered oscillations in the cerebral cortex, the region responsible for our capacity for reasoning, language and social behavior. Ref. Source 3w.
Clinical trial opens new avenues for pharmacological therapy in Down's syndrome
The results of the phase 2 study suggest that participants who had received the treatment had better scores in the visual memory recognition and inhibition tasks, and improvement in adaptive behavior than those in the control group. Though not a cure, this is the first time that a treatment has shown some effectiveness in this syndrome, and it opens the door to new research geared towards treating what was believed to be orphan of treatment. Ref. Source 5h.