From MIT Technology Review, [UK] Times, [UK] Telegraph, [UK] Daily Mail,  Reuters/ABC News, Stanford University:

New Stanford University research published in the journal Science Translational Medicine reports that scientists have been able to use several existing drugs to improve the cognitive functioning of mice that were genetically engineered to exhibit symptoms similar to Down syndrome.

Experts said the research offers hope for the future, but cautioned that it will take at least a decade before a drug might be available to treat people.

Researchers using mouse models found that the drug increased levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. They said increasing the message-carrying chemical could help prevent some of the memory deficits in Down syndrome that hinder learning and interfere with brain development.

Ahmad Salehi, the lead author on the paper, warned parents against trying the study drugs on their children. “Just because a drug works in mice doesn’t guarantee the same effects in humans,” he said.

Related post: Parents divided on hypothetical cure for Down syndrome

(Photo from the [UK] Times)

This entry was posted on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 3:45 am 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.