Posted on 09/05/2013 9:54:28 AM PDT by Titus-Maximus
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.
There is no cure for Down syndrome, which is caused by the presence of an additional chromosome and results in intellectual disabilities, distinctive facial features and other health problems.
The team at Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, in Baltimore, used lab mice that were genetically engineered to have extra copies of about half the genes found on human chromosome 21, leading to Down syndrome-like conditions such as smaller brains and difficulty learning to navigate a maze.
On the day the mice were born, scientists injected them with a small molecule known as a sonic hedgehog pathway agonist.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
As the father of a young man who has Down Syndrome [he’ll be 16 yro next month] anything that will give him an advantage would be very helpful. From what I understand this would only give a brain boost but not change physical appearance. People do judge on looks, so that is a strike against them. So I would like a chance for them to get a boost in brain power.
You’re right. The movie was “Charly.” The novella was titled “Flowers for Algernon.”
Regards,
I *knew* playing video games would make me a molecular biologist.
Thanks to you both. Loved the movie. It seems that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we really know.
The movie is based on the short story “Flowers for Algernon”. (sp?)_
Since it is so rare, how does one acquire mice with Downs Syndrome...
Hmmmmmm.
I thought about Stephen King’s “Lawn Mower Man”
“I predict that some parents of kids with Down’s syndrome will protest a potential cure.”
We have to share this planet with some might sick and evil people.
You’re right! The book was ‘Flowers for Algernon’ and that’s how I always think of it instead of what Hollywood called it.
the short story was Flowers.
Downs Syndrome reversed?? Every cell in the body of a person with Downs Syndrome has an extra 23rd chromosome. I suspect they mean they believe they can mitigate the effects from the extra chromosome. Color me very skeptical.
They won’t get a fight from me. I would do anything to help my boy with Down’s . I haven’t seen a Downs mafia like the deaf anti-implant mafia.
Flowers for Algernon was the short story.
Charly was one film, Lawnmower Man was an interesting variation.
No wonder it works!
During the Clinton administration, there were reports of huge rats infesting the White House premises.
Reporters covering the White House claimed the rats were as large as house cats and boldly walked around during the day seemingly unafraid of people.
I thought at first that they meant the regular democ-rats, but they were real rats.
Yes, the movie was called “Charly”, the book was called “Flowers for Algernon”.
I only say so because we live in such a perverse culture, good is called bad and bad is called good.
Well there was no anti-implant mafia until the implants became available.... so we will have to wait and see.
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