Folate is an important vitamin that contributes to cell division and growth and is therefore of particular importance during infancy and pregnancy. Folate deficiency has been associated with slowed growth,... Read more...
Animal models are extensively used in genetics, neuroscience and biomedical research. In this article, Frank Buckley describves recent studies that illustrate the usefulness and the challenges of research utilising genetically... Read more...
Behavioural approaches can be used very effectively to teach new skills and to change behaviours that are challenging and not socially adaptive. In this article, Sue Buckley darws on several... Read more...
It has been known for a long while that children with Down syndrome have specific impairments in verbal shortterm memory. In this Update article, Sue Buckley describes research that indicates... Read more...
Index
Updates
Summaries of recent advances in research and practice.
The power of behavioural approaches
Behavioural approaches can be used very effectively to teach new skills and to change
behaviours that are challenging and not socially adaptive. In this Update,
discussing two recently published Case Studies,
Sue Buckley argues that they may have gone out of fashion but should be revived.
Is there a link between folate metabolism and Down syndrome?
This Update by David Patterson provides a review of studies that have looked
at the link between folate metabolism and the risk of Down syndrome.
Folate is an important vitamin that plays an important part in several complex metabolic
pathways, including those leading to the synthesis of DNA and RNA. As it contributes
to cell division and growth it is of particular importance during infancy and pregnancy.
Many genes are involved in these complex metabolic pathways, and it has been suggested
that certain versions (polymorphisms) of some of these genes can increase the risk
of conceiving a baby with Down syndrome. Studies to date have found conflicting
results, suggesting that these gene variants may be part of a more complex picture.
This article reviews these challenging findings and looks at where investigations
can now go to resolve these issues.
Improving memory
It has been known for a long while that children with Down syndrome have specific
impairments in verbal short-term memory. This Update summarises research
indicating that memory training activities may be effective.
Using mice models to understand the developmental biology of Down syndrome
The first of these two Updates describes how scientists are using genetically
engineered mice that carry additional copies of genes comparable to those present
on human chromosome 21 to understand the developmental biology of Down syndrome.
The second of these Updates presents a summary of research showing
that these mice performed better on memory tests when treated with drugs that target
brain function. Could this be an important break-through in the search for pharmacological
therapies to assist people with Down syndrome?
Teaching numeracy
Understanding number concepts and basic mathematical skills is important for many
everyday activities in modern societies. Little is understood about the numeracy
abilities of people with Down syndrome. At present, it appears that numeracy is
an area of relative difficulty and that progress with more complex mathematical
understanding is slow. However, some teaching approaches that seek to utilise certain
relative strengths to communicate number concepts seem to be useful in practice.
This Update discusses the research needed to define the precise difficulties
experienced by children with Down syndrome and to evaluate teaching strategies.