Down syndrome reversed in newborn mice with single injection

[bananas]

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.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-05/downs-syndrome-reversed-in-newborn-mice/4936412

[KamaAina]

1. Reversed?

Isn't the extra chromosome still there? What about the facila shape, heart defects, etc?

[unblock]

3. more accurately, it reverses the effects of an engineered mouse defect similar to down syndrome

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]

4. The headline is a bit misleading.

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]

2. Wow- very cool

[Hekate]

5. What a godsend that would be for thousands of families if they can ever make it safe for humans

What a breakthrough.

[jmowreader]

12. Or work for humans

Mice are not humans. You knew this already.

[Hekate]

16. Pretty much implied in "make it safe for humans." But you knew that already.

[jmowreader]

18. The FDA uses the term "safe and effective."

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]

6. WOW...that is exciting news! n/t

K&R

[uppityperson]

7. Being able to change the brain would be great for so many diseases/accidents.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

8. This is what we should be spending our money on.

Not fucking war.

[Duer 157099]

10. Goddamn right n/t

[Duer 157099]

9. Sonic hedgehog!

[Myrina]

11. Call me stupid but isn't Downs caused by a chromosomal abnormality?

I'm missing the link between 'developing the cerebellum' and 'bad chromosome/genes'.

Thanks for any info ~

[d_r]

13. Down syndrome

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]

19. Exactly. This is progress, but curing or reversing

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]

14. This really needs to be tested on Congress

I know they're not newborn, but some act like it.

[greiner3]

15. In humans Downs Syndrome is caused by trisomy 21;

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]

20. These were genetically engineered mice

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]

21. And there isn't a lot of white meat on them, either. n/t

[jmowreader]

22. Speaking of white meat...

http://www.laynelabs.com/frozen-mice

If you need a sack of frozen mice in a hurry, go there.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. I've been redecorating inside my skull for years with chemicals.

[bitchkitty]

23. Flowers for Algernon?

Kidding, I actually think this is wonderful. I love science - it's the only thing that will save us.

[Pterodactyl]

24. Amazing! That's why animal testing is so important.