commonly known as Down’s syndrome, has been found to cause protein loss in the brain, specifically the SNX27 protein. The SNX27 protein is what activates some glutamate receptors in the brain and is important for brain function according to the research found in Nature Medicine. In the study, the researchers reinstated the protein in mice affected with Down’s and found that their cognitive abilities increased. After this finding, the researchers studied the brains of humans with Down’s and found the same lack of the SNX27 protein. This seems to be a very hopeful study to get further insight into the condition known as Down’s syndrome and may one day be able to improve cognitive function in people affected. Still, much more research seems needed to be done in order to figure out a safe way to restore this protein level in humans, if there is one. Also, the has been no human tests to date, so no one knows exactly how it could react in humans. While this study has found a very important effect of trisomy 21, much more research will need to be done to figure out whether or not a treatment to restore this protein in humans is feasible and safe.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Trisomy 21 Linked to Brain Protein Loss
From an article from BBC News Health, researchers have found that trisomy 21, commonly known as Down’s syndrome, has been found to cause protein loss in the brain, specifically the SNX27 protein. The SNX27 protein is what activates some glutamate receptors in the brain and is important for brain function according to the research found in Nature Medicine. In the study, the researchers reinstated the protein in mice affected with Down’s and found that their cognitive abilities increased. After this finding, the researchers studied the brains of humans with Down’s and found the same lack of the SNX27 protein. This seems to be a very hopeful study to get further insight into the condition known as Down’s syndrome and may one day be able to improve cognitive function in people affected. Still, much more research seems needed to be done in order to figure out a safe way to restore this protein level in humans, if there is one. Also, the has been no human tests to date, so no one knows exactly how it could react in humans. While this study has found a very important effect of trisomy 21, much more research will need to be done to figure out whether or not a treatment to restore this protein in humans is feasible and safe.
commonly known as Down’s syndrome, has been found to cause protein loss in the brain, specifically the SNX27 protein. The SNX27 protein is what activates some glutamate receptors in the brain and is important for brain function according to the research found in Nature Medicine. In the study, the researchers reinstated the protein in mice affected with Down’s and found that their cognitive abilities increased. After this finding, the researchers studied the brains of humans with Down’s and found the same lack of the SNX27 protein. This seems to be a very hopeful study to get further insight into the condition known as Down’s syndrome and may one day be able to improve cognitive function in people affected. Still, much more research seems needed to be done in order to figure out a safe way to restore this protein level in humans, if there is one. Also, the has been no human tests to date, so no one knows exactly how it could react in humans. While this study has found a very important effect of trisomy 21, much more research will need to be done to figure out whether or not a treatment to restore this protein in humans is feasible and safe.
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This is a very interesting article and insightful. I had no idea that the proteins in the brain were important for function. It would be amazing if this discovery helped people live with Down's syndrome. Maybe fixing this or overcompensating for it would lessen some of the severe effects of Down's syndrome and allow the people affected with it to live more successful lives.
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