“This appears to be one of the most important scientific advancements in the field since French physician Jerome Lejeune identified Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition in 1959,”
Two UMass Medical School researchers used a naturally occurring “off switch” to shut down the chromosomes that cause Down syndrome during laboratory experiments that used human stem cells, according to a press release from the school.
This discovery could lead to treatment and therapy based on the chromosome that causes the condition, rather than treatment based on its symptoms, the researchers said.
“Our hope is that for individuals living with Down syndrome, this proof-of-principal opens up multiple exciting new avenues for studying the disorder now, and brings into the realm of consideration research on the concept of ‘chromosome therapy’ in the future,” said lead researcher Jeanne B. Lawrence, professor of cell and developmental biology.
The news was met with guarded applause by a Bay State advocacy group which praised the research, but warned of ethical concerns for parents of children with Down syndrome.
“This appears to be one of the most important scientific advancements in the field since French physician Jerome Lejeune identified Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition in 1959,” Maureen Gallagher, executive director of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress said in a statement. “It’s important for us to understand that any direct therapeutic implications as a result of this new research is many years away and that although it is an exciting discovery, it will bring with it many ethical and emotional issues for the Down syndrome community.“
The Latest Bing News on:
Down syndrome
- Down Syndrome Indiana's Buddy Walk returns for 8th yearon April 27, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Down Syndrome Indiana hosted its 8th annual Terre Haute Buddy Walk on Saturday. Supporters walked for one mile starting at Memorial Stadium. This is the organization's largest fundraising event.
- GiGi's Playhouse Madison holds 3rd annual Dash for Down Syndromeon April 27, 2024 at 9:51 am
The family-friendly acceptance event put on by GiGi’s Playhouse Madison started with a 5K run and turned into a community festival.
- Home and Away actor Julian Maroun details his most important role - caring for Down syndrome brother Lukeon April 27, 2024 at 2:25 am
Although Luke’s care is Maroun’s main priority, he is equally passionate about his acting career. He is especially proud of his role as Detective Darren Nasser on Home and Away, being the first ...
- ‘Pascal’s parents wouldn’t even look at him’: Aberdeen mum on Down’s syndrome adoption journeyon April 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm
An icon of a desk calendar. An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. An icon of a paper envelope. An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. An icon of ...
- Differences ID’d in Tau Burden in Down Syndrome, Alzheimer Diseaseon April 25, 2024 at 11:30 pm
The spatial distribution, timing, and magnitude of tau burden differs for people with Down syndrome and those with autosomal-dominant Alzheimer disease, according to a study published in the May issue ...
- Former school district employee sentenced for molesting child with Down syndromeon April 25, 2024 at 1:30 pm
A former Rockwood School District employee appeared in St. Louis County Circuit Court on Thursday to be sentenced for molesting a student with Down syndrome.
- Night of Champions raises funds for Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society and pairs people with jobson April 25, 2024 at 3:01 am
The couple, determined to love and support their daughter, soon aligned with more locals in Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan Counties who also had children with Down Syndrome. In 2006, a small group of ...
- British Teen Becomes Youngest Person with Down Syndrome To Complete a Marathonon April 24, 2024 at 12:20 pm
He was born with a hole in his heart and was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth. When he crossed the finish line with a time of 6:46:10, he became the youngest known person in his disability ...
- At Just 19, Runner with Down’s Syndrome Makes History as the Youngest Impaired Person to Finish the London Marathonon April 24, 2024 at 4:00 am
Receiving a Guinness World Record at the finishing line, Martin says it's a dream come true, and celebrated the 26.4 miles with his mom.
- ‘It’s all green’: Platte City man with Down syndrome finds new comfort by creating his own spaceon April 23, 2024 at 6:00 am
Dustin Sheridan has been alive, understanding of and resources for people with Down syndrome has grown tremendously. Now, he has a job he loves and a place of his own to call home.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Down syndrome
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Shut down the chromosomes that cause Down syndrome
- Down Syndromeon April 22, 2024 at 4:59 pm
More than 90% of people with Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal disorder in humans and the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability, are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by ...
- Alzheimer's Hits Most People With Down Syndrome and Progresses Fasteron April 18, 2024 at 4:56 am
Doctors have long known that nearly all people with Down syndrome will go on to develop Alzheimer's disease in late ...
- From Mongolism to Down Syndrome: The Evolution of Understanding a Genetic Conditionon April 16, 2024 at 9:12 pm
The designation ‘Down’s Syndrome’ came much later, in 1961, following a decision by the Editor of the Lancet and a suggestion from a group of leading geneticists to rename the condition in honour of ...
- Identifying Ultrasound Markers for Down Syndromeon April 16, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Although the incidence of Down syndrome increases with advancing maternal age, the use of maternal age alone as a screening tool results in the identification of only about one third of the cases ...
- Understanding what causes the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in Down’s syndromeon March 27, 2024 at 5:01 pm
As people with Down's syndrome are known to be at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, studying what causes this increased risk may shed light on the underlying causes of the disease. The ...
- Parents turn performers for Down's syndrome causeon March 23, 2024 at 1:30 am
Down's syndrome results from being born with an extra chromosome, usually by chance because of a change in the sperm or egg before birth. There are estimated to be around 60,000 people with Down's ...
- In Photos: Greenwich's Parkway School hosts 'Rock Your Socks' to recognize World Down Syndrome Dayon March 22, 2024 at 11:43 am
of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome," according to World Down Syndrome Day's website. During "Rock Your Socks," Parkway students came to school wearing socks that were mismatched ...
- “Coastal B-U-D-S” celebrates World Down Syndrome Day with Sock Hopon March 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The date 3-21 was chosen to be World Down Syndrome Day to represent the 3 copies of chromosome 21 which cause Down syndrome. Coastal Buds next event is Down to Move Yoga at the Harrelson Center ...
- World Down Syndrome Day 2024 advocates ‘End the Stereotype’on March 21, 2024 at 8:36 am
of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. PUNCH Online reports that the theme for this year’s campaign is “End the Stereotype.” The Down’s Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, last week ...
- March 21 is World Down Syndrome Awareness Dayon March 21, 2024 at 2:45 am
Down syndrome is a naturally occurring genetic condition in which a child is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21 ... about people with Down syndrome cause them to be misunderstood ...
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Shut down the chromosomes that cause Down syndrome
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