Down syndrome reversed in newborn mice with single injection
Source: Australia Broadcasting Corporation
US researchers have found a way to reverse Down syndrome in newborn lab mice by injecting an experimental compound that causes the brain to grow normally.
The study, published in the Science Translational Medicine journal, offers no direct link to a treatment for humans but scientists are hopeful it may offer a path towards future breakthroughs.
<snip>
"We were able to completely normalise growth of the cerebellum through adulthood with that single injection."
The injection also led to unexpected benefits in learning and memory, normally handled by a different part of the brain known as the hippocampus.
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Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-05/downs-syndrome-reversed-in-newborn-mice/4936412
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Isn't the extra chromosome still there? What about the facila shape, heart defects, etc?
unblock
(52,221 posts)not clear that the murine version of down syndrome affects facial shape, heart defects, etc., the article only talks about brain development and function.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)The DS mice received the injection on the day of their birth, and then their brains developed like "normal" mice, with "normal" mice intelligence.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Hekate
(90,681 posts)What a breakthrough.
jmowreader
(50,557 posts)Mice are not humans. You knew this already.
Hekate
(90,681 posts)jmowreader
(50,557 posts)My concern is the molecule will be safe but not effective, and people who have Down's Syndrome children will line up around the block to waste money on this fraud, and it won't be the first time it's happened. Look up DMSO sometime.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)K&R
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)Not fucking war.
Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)Duer 157099
(17,742 posts)Myrina
(12,296 posts)I'm missing the link between 'developing the cerebellum' and 'bad chromosome/genes'.
Thanks for any info ~
is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Down Syndrome is associated with many physiological traits, including a smaller than average size cerebellum.
In this case, mice were genetically engineered to have additional chromosomal material analogous to Down Syndrome in humans.
At birth, the mice were injected with an agonist that is thought to promote brain development.
The mice that were injected at birth subsequently showed improved development in cerebellum size.
Even if this works for humans, this does not mean that this would necessarily change brain size or functioning in older children or adults.
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)symptoms of Downs will cover more systems than just the brain. We can cheer for the progress, but it's way too early to declare victory.
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)I know they're not newborn, but some act like it.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)In 90% of instances.
This means one of the human genes (we have 23 pairs) ends up with 3 copies instead of 2.
Nearly all of birth defects with 3 copies of a single chromosome is fatal with the fetus not developing much past the 1st or 2nd trimester.
I don't know how a mouse develops Downs because a mouse doesn't have the same number of chromosomes as a human.
This news bears watching.
jmowreader
(50,557 posts)You can get them from Jackson Laboratories (the world's leading supplier of laboratory mice) for extremely high prices: $220 per pair is the least expensive Down Syndrome mouse they have, and they have some that are $250 per mouse.
eggplant
(3,911 posts)jmowreader
(50,557 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)bitchkitty
(7,349 posts)Kidding, I actually think this is wonderful. I love science - it's the only thing that will save us.