Re: ds drug

[Guest guest]

DSRTF- Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation mostly funds the research

at Stanford in all of the AMAZING things they are doing. The foundation was

started by a mom with a child with DS that wanted to focus research specifically

at the genetic and medical level that would lead to treatment. Stanford does in

fact have the most innovative research on DS in the world. I've heard Dr.

Mobley speak many times at various fundraisers and it is just remarkable what is

happening in DS research.

I would recommend anyone as hopeful as myself about these prospects to visit

www.dsrtf.org and learn more.

karen graff wrote:

Hi all I just saw an article in March 16, 2007 The Week: A NEW DOWN

SYNDROME DRUG? Mentally retarded laboratory mice get smarter when given a drug

created to increase mental functioning in the elderly, says the Los Angeles

Times. The drug called PTZ (pentylenetetrazole), offers new promise for the

treatment of people with Down syndrome. One in 660 babies is born with ds, a

genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome #21. Researchers at

Stanford University were able to genetically alter mice to exhibit

characteristics of Down synbdrome, then dosed them with PTZ for 17 days. By the

end of the trial and for months afterward, the mice were navigating mazes and

recognizing objects with intelligence, comparable to normal mice. PTZ blocks a

neurotratransmitter called GABA seems to slow down the brain's circuits, so a

dose of PTZ speeds them back up. " This treatment has remarkable potential " said

researcher Craig Garner. " So many other drugs have been tried

that had no effect at all. " Someday, Down syndrome experts say, PTZ may allow

people born with the chromosomal abnormality to live and work without the

assistance of a parent or nurse. This is word for word the whole article.

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