Roger H. Reeves, Ph.D., professor of physiology and member of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins, comments on my Nov. 16 column in the Washington Post:

“Bravo! As you say so diplomatically but clearly in your column, many of the doctors administering and interpreting these frequently inaccurate prenatal tests and our society at large are badly misinformed about the lives of people with Down syndrome, their potential, and their impact on the world around them.

“I attended both the NIH and CDC meetings that you refer to in your article and I can say that the mood among those doing research into amelioration of the more severe effects of trisomy (congenital heart disease, celiac disease, Alzheimer disease, autism and other behavioral sequellae) is more upbeat than I have seen in more than 20 years of working to understand the basis for DS features.

“I would add to the points that you raise, an additional perspective about the positive future for people with DS that comes out of basic research. Several recent independent studies hold promise for improving cognitive function in DS. One set of studies shows directions for reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline, and some appropriately sized and conducted clinical trials are already underway, especially in the area of Alzheimer disease.

“Other new findings suggest ways of maximizing cognitive potential beyond what can be accomplished by supportive family and educational environments. These latter findings might have applications not just in early development but also later in life, perhaps into adulthood. Many researchers and parent advocates feel that a small positive effect on cognition could enhance independence and expand life choices for people with DS.

“I hope that your lucid statement of the case will reach many people who are simply unaware of what it means to have DS.

“Congratulations and best wishes,

“Roger Reeves”

Reeves was recently awarded a $250,000 grant from the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation. He and his research team will extend their current studies on a potential drug to see if its positive effects can improve brain development in mouse models of Down syndrome.

More information about his research and publications can be found at http://inertia.bs.jhmi.edu/.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at 7:26 pm and is filed under Down syndrome, NOT2BEMISSED, research news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.