New Perspectives for the Rescue of Cognitive Disability in Down Syndrome

J Neurosci. 2015 Oct 14;35(41):13843-52. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2775-15.2015.

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is a relatively common genetic condition caused by the triplication of human chromosome 21. No therapies currently exist for the rescue of neurocognitive impairment in DS. This review presents exciting findings showing that it is possible to restore brain development and cognitive performance in mouse models of DS with therapies that can also apply to humans. This knowledge provides a potential breakthrough for the prevention of intellectual disability in DS.

Keywords: Down syndrome; brain abnormalities; intellectual disability; mouse models; preventive therapies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down Syndrome / complications*
  • Down Syndrome / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice