Science: Down syndrome cognitive dysfunction, can be treated!

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, can occur in 1 in every 800 newborns and causes a variety of clinical manifestations, including cognitive decline

The Inserm team at the Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory (Inserm/Université de Lille, Lille University Hospital) and their counterparts at the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) have teamed up to test the efficacy of GnRH injection therapy to improve cognitive function in a small group of Down syndrome patients

Recent findings suggest that neurons that express gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) – which are known for regulating reproduction through the hypothalamus – can also act on other brain regions and play a potential role in other functions, such as cognition

With this in mind, the Team at the Lille Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory, led by Vincent Prévot, director of research at Inserm, studied the mechanisms

Laboratory proof that the discovery of five classes of microRNAs on chromosome 21 regulates GnRH hormone production, and this excess chromosome can cause abnormalities in GnRH-secreting neurons due to an increase in 21 chromosomes

Restores GnRH production to restore cognitive function

Inserm scientists were then able to demonstrate that restoring physiological GnRH system function restores cognitive and olfactory functions

Subsequently, the researchers tried a GnRH pulse therapy to improve symptoms in mice with Down syndrome, which itself is suitable for treating congenital GnRH deficiency, and the pulse can restore normal hormone secretion rhythms

In addition, the study recruited several patients with Down syndrome to participate in the clinical trial, and seven male volunteers received regular subcutaneous injections of GnRH for 6 months

According to the results of clinical analysis, after treatment, 6 out of 7 patients had improved cognitive function, they were able to better understand instructions, complete reasoning and have better attention and episodic memory skills

Pulsed GnHR therapy can restore functional connectivity in the brain of patients with Down syndrome within 6 months

Brain imaging results showed a significant increase in the functional connections of the brains in these patients, which also suggested that the treatment enhanced communication between certain areas of the cerebral cortex, thereby improving cognitive performance

The research team plans to conduct a further large-scale clinical study, including women, to confirm the combined efficacy

Although this study does not cure Down syndrome, by regulating GnHR, partially restoring the patient's cognitive dysfunction, especially early use, will help restore cognitive dysfunction and will likely partially restore the patient's future function of autonomous life, which is of

Resources:

[1] A therapy found to improve cognitive function in patients with Down syndrome.