I found this on another web site.  Thought you might find this interesting.

 

Laurie

 

MOLECULE LINKED TO DOWN'S SYNDROME

Tuesday, 06 December 2005 12:07
BNN: British Nursing News Online www.bnn-online.co.uk

Researchers from King's College London believe they have identified a
molecule central to the treatment of people with Down's syndrome.

The Institute of Psychiatry team found people with the condition have
higher levels of myo-inositol in their brains and that this can cause
reduce intellectual ability.

Down's syndrome is one of the most common genetic causes of mental
impairment and is caused when a child has three copies of chromosome 21,
rather than the usual two.

The researchers revealed that one of the genes on chromosome 21 controls
levels of a protein that pumps myo-inositol into the brain. The extra copy
of this gene in Down's syndrome patients could explain the increased levels
of the molecule in the brain.

The team also found that high-levels of myo-inositol were often an
indicator of early-onset Alzheimer's disease as the molecule promotes the
formation of amyloid plaques - a hallmark of Alzheimer's.

Lead researcher Professor Declan Murphy said: "We have shown in this study
that adults with Down's syndrome have a significantly higher concentration
of myo-inositol in the hippocampal region of their brains, and this
increase is associated with a reduced cognitive ability.

"We are now carrying out more studies to see if we can reduce the
concentration of myo-inositol in the brains of people with Down's.

"We hope that if we can do this, it will be a new way of treating this
devastating disorder."

The Down's Syndrome Association said: "We are very pleased that scientists
are producing results that help us to understand the reasons behind Down's
syndrome's associated learning disability.

"However, the Institute of Psychiatry's research does not herald a 'cure'
for the condition, and any treatment available is still a long way in the
future."


http://www.bnn-online.co.uk/index.asp#2286