What is the Most Promising Research?

The most exciting part of the latest research is that it is possible to intervene with existing medicines and compounds.

Development of the Latest Research

Development of Mouse Model
(2000) A very good mouse model of Down syndrome is developed; a mouse that has 75% of the critical genes and survives into adulthood. http://www.jax.org/staff/muriel_davisson.html

Interruption of Memory mechanism Theory
(Sept. 2004) Stanford University researchers make the important discovery that one of the mechanisms involved in creating long term memories is defective in the down syndrome mouse model. This memory mechanism is called long-term potentiation, (LTP).

This discovery has enormous implications for our understanding of Down syndrome. It and follow up studies have confirmed a theory that lack of LTP caused by excessive GABA receptor activity underlies the cognitive, behavioral and neurological symptoms of Down syndrome. (View Details)

(2003) A half a world away, in Sidney Australia, researchers studying the GABA receptor find that Bilobalide, found in Ginkgo Biloba, is a GABA antagonist. In other words, it turns down excessive GABA activity. This discovery places a well known herb at the forefront of treatment for Down syndrome. http://www.usyd.edu.au/pharmacology/aalab/RefsPDFs/354.pdf

(2007) Dr. Craig Garner of Stanford University tests GABA antagonist in the Down syndrome mice by treating with three different compounds, one of them being bilobalide and improved memory function in the mice. (View Details)

Grow new neurons and reverse degeneration
(2006) A second theory is in the works; that is that neurogenesis (grow new neurons) is possible with an available drug, Prozac. Dr Sarah Clarke, at The University of Maryland School of Medicine led an investigation where they reversed the degeneration in the Down syndrome mouse model. After 24 days of Prozac (generic is fluoxetine), the Down syndrome mouse had doubled his neuron count to a normal level. (View Details)

Defend Against Alzheimer's Disease
(1982) As early as 1982, Dr. Ira Lott described the pathological aging of Down syndrome in terms of definitive evidence of Alzheimer’s disease changes in the brains of patient's with DS�. (View Details)

(1989) By 1988, a team led by Dr. Tanzi at the Neurogenetics Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital discovers the Alzheimer gene (amyloid precursor protein) is on the 21st chromosome. (View Details)

(2007) At this time, it is fairly clear that inflammatory processes contribute to activation of the Alzheimer genes. The latest studies indicate that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine have both neuroprotective and antioxidative properties through the inhibition of microglial activation. (View Details)

Help With Concentration
(2005) With all the changes in the mental abilities, focusing became an issue. Focalin XR, a time released ADHD medication helped to reign in the concentration and focus attention allowing increased learning and better behavior.

A little explanation about who we are is in order. The group listed below masterminds (meets to brainstorm) at least once a week. We assemble the latest research and work through it to try to understand the complexity of it. We have spent many years working together and enjoy the benefits of more than one person looking at the information. Brainstorming amazingly always opens up new avenues. Many in the field thought Down syndrome was far too complicated to be solved with the present technology; however, this small group is working on a treatment program with available medication with the hope of elevating the cognitive ability of the person with Down Syndrome. (View Details)

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