Drug 'could reverse Down's'

by JENNY HOPE, Daily Mail

Scientists claim to have made a breakthrough that could reverse the mental effects of Down's syndrome.

They have found a gene that appears to be responsible for brain problems associated with the disorder and hope to develop a drug to reverse retardation.

Such a treatment could benefit people with Down's syndrome no matter what their age, the American experts believe.

William Mobley, director of a new centre for research into the condition at Stanford University, California, said it could transform lives. "From what we have seen in the lab, the neuronal damage is totally reversible," he added. "We definitely think we are on the right track to restoring learning and memory in individuals."

But such a drug would have no impact on the distinctive facial features of people with Down's syndrome nor tackle any associated physical problems, he stressed.

There are 60,000 people with Down's syndrome in Britain, and one in 1,000 babies is born with the disorder. If they have heart conditions which go untreated, they are unlikely to survive their teens.

But a Down's syndrome child with no physical health problems has a life expectancy of up to 60.

The condition leads to varying levels of learning difficulties, although many are able to live semi-independent lives.

The gene breakthrough is announced today in Chemistry & Industry magazine.

In Britain, all pregnant women are to be offered tests for Down's syndrome, rather than just over-35s who are more at risk of having a child with the condition.

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