Writing in The Lancet (subscription required), Kelly Morris says life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has improved dramatically over the past half century, yet research to improve health, cognition and learning among people with Down syndrome has not kept pace. Many in the field say such research has been neglected and underfunded.

Morris says NIH funding for Down syndrome research stands at $17 million this year, down 26 percent from $23 million in 2003. Experts say the NIH is focusing its immediate attention on mouse models, rather than on studying ways to improve the lives and cognitive function of people who have the disorder. “Many would argue that these priorities are the wrong way round,” says Frank Buckley of Down Syndrome Education International.

Writes Morris:

… A shift in focus towards studying variables in people with Down syndrome, especially those that affect learning and cognition, would be most welcome. Such research could also point to differences in the biology of Down syndrome that can promote further useful, straightforward interventions, which is important since specific drug treatment can require years of further investigation.

The article appears in Vol. 372, September 6, 2008.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 8:54 pm and is filed under Down syndrome, commentary, research funding, 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.  Email This Post