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| Hope over Down's learning problem | Hope over Down's learning problem |
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| US research has raised hopes of developing a drug therapy to reverse the learning problems associated with Down's syndrome. | US research has raised hopes of developing a drug therapy to reverse the learning problems associated with Down's syndrome. |
| At birth children with Down's syndrome are not developmentally delayed, but memory problems often mean they soon tend to fall behind. | At birth children with Down's syndrome are not developmentally delayed, but memory problems often mean they soon tend to fall behind. |
| The new study, in mice, pinpoints the key defects in the brain, and suggests a possible way to tackle them. | The new study, in mice, pinpoints the key defects in the brain, and suggests a possible way to tackle them. |
| The study appears in the journal Science Translational Medicine. | The study appears in the journal Science Translational Medicine. |
| Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. | Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. |
| It is often associated with deficits in the memory centres, making it difficult for the brain to collect and make use of experiences in a way necessary to form new memories and underpin the development of learning. | It is often associated with deficits in the memory centres, making it difficult for the brain to collect and make use of experiences in a way necessary to form new memories and underpin the development of learning. |
| Nest building | Nest building |
| We still have a long way to go, but these are very interesting results Dr Melanie ManningLucile Packard Children's Hospital | We still have a long way to go, but these are very interesting results Dr Melanie ManningLucile Packard Children's Hospital |
| In the latest study researchers from Stanford University and the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital - both located in Stanford, California - worked on mice genetically engineered to mimic Down's syndrome. | In the latest study researchers from Stanford University and the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital - both located in Stanford, California - worked on mice genetically engineered to mimic Down's syndrome. |
| Unlike other mice, the genetically engineered animals, when placed in a cage with which they were unfamiliar, failed to start building new nests. | Unlike other mice, the genetically engineered animals, when placed in a cage with which they were unfamiliar, failed to start building new nests. |
| The researchers showed that cells in an area of the animals' brain called the hippocampus were starved of a supply of a chemical called norepinephrine, which helps nerve cells to communicate with each other. | The researchers showed that cells in an area of the animals' brain called the hippocampus were starved of a supply of a chemical called norepinephrine, which helps nerve cells to communicate with each other. |
| The problem seems to be due to the deterioration of another area of the brain called the locus coeruleus, which usually communicates with the hippocampus during the formation of memories. | The problem seems to be due to the deterioration of another area of the brain called the locus coeruleus, which usually communicates with the hippocampus during the formation of memories. |
| It seems that the copy of the extra chromosome carried by people with Down's contains a specific gene - APP - which spells trouble for the locus coeruleus. | It seems that the copy of the extra chromosome carried by people with Down's contains a specific gene - APP - which spells trouble for the locus coeruleus. |
| The researchers found that when levels of the chemical were artificially boosted, it had an almost instant positive effect on the animals' behaviour - they started nest building, and improved their performance on other tests too. | The researchers found that when levels of the chemical were artificially boosted, it had an almost instant positive effect on the animals' behaviour - they started nest building, and improved their performance on other tests too. |
| Drugs available | Drugs available |
| Drugs that target the norepinephrine system have already been developed for depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). | Drugs that target the norepinephrine system have already been developed for depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). |
| The researchers say their work suggests they might also help people with Down's syndrome. | The researchers say their work suggests they might also help people with Down's syndrome. |
| They suspect the most fruitful approach might be to focus in tandem on norepinephrine and another brain chemical which has been implicated in Down's syndrome, called acetylcholine. | They suspect the most fruitful approach might be to focus in tandem on norepinephrine and another brain chemical which has been implicated in Down's syndrome, called acetylcholine. |
| Lead researcher Dr Ahmad Salehi said the study suggested that an early intervention with the right drugs might help children with Down's syndrome to collect and make sense of information. | Lead researcher Dr Ahmad Salehi said the study suggested that an early intervention with the right drugs might help children with Down's syndrome to collect and make sense of information. |
| He said: "Theoretically, that could lead to an improvement in cognitive functions in these kids." | He said: "Theoretically, that could lead to an improvement in cognitive functions in these kids." |
| Dr Melanie Manning, director of the Center for Down Syndrome at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, said: "It's very exciting. | Dr Melanie Manning, director of the Center for Down Syndrome at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, said: "It's very exciting. |
| "We still have a long way to go, but these are very interesting results." | "We still have a long way to go, but these are very interesting results." |
| Professor Tony Holland, an expert in learning disabilities at the University of Cambridge, said: "This type of research offers the possibility of understanding the problems that can arise in the brain as a result of inheriting an extra copy of chromosome 21. | |
| "This is turn could lead to targeted and rationale therapies. | |
| However, whether such treatments are safe and effective in humans and whether they can have significant effects on function and bring longer term benefits is a very different matter." | |
| Carol Boys, chief executive of Down's Syndrome Association said: "There is a great deal of research being done in this field, mainly in the US and we are following progress with interest. | Carol Boys, chief executive of Down's Syndrome Association said: "There is a great deal of research being done in this field, mainly in the US and we are following progress with interest. |
| "However, it will be quite some time before any of these treatments are available and safe for use with human beings. | "However, it will be quite some time before any of these treatments are available and safe for use with human beings. |
| "There is much that we need to understand about the genetic makeup of people with Down's syndrome." | "There is much that we need to understand about the genetic makeup of people with Down's syndrome." |