Current Research Supported by the Down Syndrome Research Fund Raising
Group
"The
driving force of my work and the
philosophy of my laboratory, is the
idea that the intellectual disabilities
associated with Down syndrome may
at least be partially reversible." -
Alberto Costa, M.D. Ph.D., Associate
Professor of Medicine and Neuroscience
at UCDHSC, father of a daughter
with Down syndrome and DSRG's first
grant receipient.
Translational Neuroscience
Nexus for the Study of
Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities
Download
article [pdf] |
Scientific studies on Down syndrome
occur in the research lab and examine
how the extra chromosome 21 affects
individuals with Down syndrome. Scientists
have created a mouse model that mimics
the effects of having the extra chromosome.
Using the mouse model, scientists
are able to target overactive genes
and test drug therapies that can
reduce the activity of these genes
to a normal level.
Clinical studies on Down syndrome
involve both mouse models and individuals
with Down syndrome. By testing functional
abilities, researchers gain a better
understanding of the differences
and develop tools to test therapies
and treatments.
Study
Subjects Wanted
Download information
about
a 16-week
double-blind
research
study
of Memantine
in adults
with
Down
Syndrome. Download
Now [pdf] |
Our first grant recipient, Dr. Alberto
Costa, Associate Professor of Medicine
and Neuroscience at UCDHSC, conducts
both scientific and clinical studies.
His studies are designed to lead
to treatments that will improve the
learning and reasoning capabilities
of individuals with Down syndrome
as well as practical therapies to
better teach fundamental skills such
as reading. This is a start but we
have to do more to make a difference.
The practical implication of these
efforts is immense not only for people
with Down syndrome but also for society
as a whole. It has been estimated
that an increase in ability, health
and independence for people with
Down syndrome could save over $3
billion per year.
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