Down Syndrome symptoms treatable with Alzheimer drug

Researchers have found that Aricept, an Alzheimer's drug, is effective in improving language and learning skills in Down's Syndrome patients. This would make it the first Down's syndrome drug which could improve the quality of life and level of participation by Down's syndrome sufferers. Alzheimer's and Down's symptoms are both due to a lack of acetylcholine produced by the brain. Aricept works by preventing enzymes from breaking down the acetycholine that is produced. However, more research needs to be done on the long term effects of Aricept use on young children.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by The Star

Related Disease Topics:

• Alzheimer disease
• Down syndrome

Related Symptom Topics:

• Language disorders
• Learning disability

Article Source Details

About: Down Syndrome symptoms treatable with Alzheimer drug

Date: 28 October 2004

Source: The Star

Author: Pat Hagan

URL: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=132&fArticleId=2277611

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Congenital disorder
• Research
• Research and Alzheimer disease
• Research and Down syndrome
• Medication
• Medication and Alzheimer disease
• Medication and Down syndrome

More News Topics

Search Specialists by State and City