Down's Syndrome Association

INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH LINKS MOLECULE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY

05/12/2005

Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London have found that the brains of people with Down’s syndrome have an increased level of the molecule myo-inositol.

Contact: Marie Benton

Down’s Syndrome Association Press Office

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Institute of Psychiatry research links molecule with learning disability

Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London have found that the brains of people with Down’s syndrome have an increased level of the molecule myo-inositol. An increased level of the molecule is associated with reduced intellectual ability. The Institute is now going on to research whether the levels of the molecule in the brain can be reduced.

The Down’s Syndrome Association welcomes any research that may have a beneficial effect on the lives of people with Down’s syndrome.

We are very pleased that scientists are producing results that help us to understand the reasons behind Down’s syndrome’s associated learning disability. However, the Institute of Psychiatry’s research does not herald a ‘cure’ for the condition, and any treatment available is still a long way in the future.

Notes for editors

Myo-inositol is known to promote the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain (a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease), and all people with Down’s syndrome also develop these plaques in later life. However, it is important to note that not all people with Down’s syndrome will go on to develop dementia, and that in fact its incidence is no higher than in the general population.

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