Down Syndrome May Show Secrets Into Alzheimer's Disease

Recent findings published in the journal Brain show that Down syndrome patients could help scientists find a cure to Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers believe that the latest information may explain why adults living with the health issue are more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

"Our hope is to better understand the role of this protein in memory and cognitive function," said lead study author Sigan Hartley, an assistant professor of human development and family studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in a news release. "With this information we hope to better understand the earliest stages in the development of this disease and gain information to guide prevention and treatment efforts."

"There are many unanswered questions about at what point amyloid-β, together with other brain changes, begins to take a toll on memory and cognition and why certain individuals may be more resistant than others," added Hartley.

For the study, researchers looked at the role of the brain protein amyloid-β in adults living with Down syndrome, which could also help adults without the genetic syndrome.

They examined 63 Down syndrome patients between the ages of 30 and 53, all who did not show clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

Findings revealed that many adults with Down syndrome had high levels of amyloid-β protein but did not suffer the expected negative consequences of the elevated protein. However, many of these participants showed no difference in memory or cognitive function when compared to those without elevated levels of amyloid-β.