February, 2009 | Volume 12 | Issue 3
In this issue...
Some of the world's leading scientists across all disciplines were brought together by
Down Syndrome Education International to review the current state of
knowledge in all areas relating to the education and development of
people with Down syndrome, and determine future research directions.
This issue includes a summary of the proceedings of this symposium, alongside reviews by leading
scientists on the Down syndrome phenotype, memory skills, family
issues and the use of mouse models to test potential drug therapies.
A group of 21 healthcare professionals, scientists and 17 support
organizations who care for and about people with Down syndrome
around the world have
worked together to issue a joint statement on a proposed "treatment"
for Down syndrome recently promoted by the Changing Minds
Foundation. This 'treatment' involves a combination of drugs
recommended for depression and attention deficit and hyperactivity
disorder. There is no scientific support for the routine use of this
protocol by people who have Down syndrome, and it is important that
families and healthcare professionals are aware of the lack of
evidence for safety and benefits from use of this protocol.