Down syndrome was initially thought to be incurable until Reeves and his team began experimenting on mice. They injected the mice with a chemical that stimulates an important neurodevelopmental pathway which stimulates cerebellum growth. Once doing this they found that they had not only "fixed" the cerebellum in mice but three months later they were able to complete a water maze. Such a task would usually thought to be predominantly controlled by the hippocampus so the researchers are still unsure whether they "inadvertently repaired" the hippocampus or if the cerebellum is actually responsible for more than what has been previously thought.
This type of treatment given to humans is thought to allow those with Down syndrome to live more independent lives. I think that these results are very exciting not only from a genetics standpoint and those who are affected by Downs but from the viewpoint that there is a hope of finding "cures" or treatments for other similar disabilities. Despite the excitement, I think we also need to consider being cautious in our evaluations of this research because sometimes research from animals fail to translate over to humans.
Article Link: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-drugs-may-transform-downs-syndrome/
Info on Down syndrome: http://www.ndss.org/Down-Syndrome/What-Is-Down-Syndrome/
This is a really intriguing article, especially since I've worked with Down Syndrome kids before. I hope this research grows into something that could be produced in the future to help anyone with Down Syndrome. I also agree with your opinion on how this brings us all hope that finding cures for the impossible are actually possible, but you're right about how we should be careful.
ReplyDeleteWow! First of all, that would be great if one day down syndrome could be cured, or at least be improved. It seems like from this mice experiment, that it is quite possible and the way medicine is advancing so fast, that one day their may be a cure for down syndrome.I still think doctors have a long way to go, for example they have not been able to exactly pin point the main cause of this disability, whether it is the hippocampus or the cerebellum. With that said, it will be a lot tougher to test a human and compare it to a rat, but I think this article shines a light into the future, and gives all them struggling with this disability a little bit of hope and optimism.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very exciting because I also have worked with students who had Down Syndrome when I was volunteering at a therapeutic riding center. I think this article is misleading in the way that they suggest that this new research could lead to a cure. I think the effects of Down Syndrome can be improved but that it can never be cured. There is an extra 21st chromosome which can not be removed by chemicals or pharmaceutical drugs. I do hope the study on mice can translate over to people and perhaps if treatment was started in young Down Syndrome patients, they would grow up with less disabilities and limitations due to their extra chromosome.
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