Article in the Daily Mail (UK)

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1089687/Downs-syndrome-symptoms-prevented-protein-jab-womb.html

Down's syndrome symptoms could be prevented by protein jab in the womb

A jab that curbs the symptoms of Down's syndrome in the womb is being developed by scientists.

In a major breakthrough, researchers have successfully eased some of the symptoms of a Down's-like condition by injecting a duo of chemicals during pregnancy.

Although the experiments were in mice, they raise the hope of treating unborn babies known to have the incurable genetic condition, easing or even preventing some of the some of the symptoms.

A successful treatment could also cut the number of Down's syndrome babies aborted.

However, it would have to pass rigorous safety tests before being accepted for widespread use.

There are also likely to be ethical concerns surrounding attempts to erase disabilities from society.

Around 1 in 1,000 babies born each year has Down's syndrome. A similar number are aborted after tests show they have the condition which is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome.

The research centred on two proteins that help brain cells develop normally. People with Down's make less of these proteins.

The scientists, from the US government-funded National Institutes of Health in land, injected chemicals based on the proteins into mice midway through their pregnancy.

The mice were carrying pups that had been genetically engineered to have a Down's-like condition.

When the pups were born, they reached developmental milestones such as grasping a rod, righting themselves and responding to touch at the same time as normal mice, this week's New Scientist reports.

Researcher Dr Spong said 'a significant amount' of the developmental delay associated with the condition had been prevented.

Tests also showed that the pups had normal levels of ADNP – one of the proteins underproduced in the Down's brain - and of a second compound key to brain health.

The researchers are now watching the mice as they grow up to see if the benefits are long lasting or even permanent.

They said they were cautiously optimistic about their work but warned that what works in mice or in the lab doesn't always work in people.

Any tests on humans would be still some years away.

Cantor, of the company Sequenom in San Diego, California, which is developing a non-invasive prenatal blood-screening test for Down's said: 'I’d love to see these early screening tests lead to therapy and not just termination.

'It would have a big impact, especially for families that are not willing to consider abortion as an option.'

Carol Boys, chief executive of the Down's Syndrome Association, said: 'We welcome research that may have a positive impact on people with Down's syndrome.

'However, it must be recognised that this research doesn’t herald a " cure " or " treatment " for Down’s syndrome. We’ll be following how it develops with great interest.'

But others cautioned that the benefits of any treatment would have to be weighed against risks such as miscarriage associated with interfering with the natural process of pregnancy.

phine Quintavalle, of campaign group Comment On Reproductive Ethics, added: 'If it is life saving, it is one thing. But if your intervention is just to ensure that somebody conforms to our idea of an ideal standard, there are an awful lot of issues to be weighed up.'

Earlier this week, it emerged that an increasing number of women are choosing to bring a Down's syndrome child into the world rather than have an abortion.

Many parents believe the social stigma associated with Down's has been removed and the quality of life for these babies has improved.

After the widespread introduction of screening for Down's in 1989, the number of babies born with the condition fell from 717 a year to 594 at the start of this decade.

But by 2006, the number had increased to 749, research conducted by the Down's Syndrome Association in conjunction with the BBC found.

Down's syndrome affects physical appearance, as well as mental development, and affects an estimated 60,000 Britons.

In the 1950s, few people with Down's lived past the age of 15. Advances in the understanding of the condition and in treatment and care have increased life expectancy to between 60 and 65.