Anti-depressants as therapies for DS

Researchers in Italy have used an anti-depressant to restore the behaviour deficits of a mouse with DS. Researchers also found that drug treatment prevented loss of neurons. Until now, no study has explored the possibility of pharmacologically improving cell maturation defects in DS during critical periods of brain development. The anti-depressant used was fluoxetine - or Prozac. Fluoxetine blocks the reuptake of a chemical neurotransmitter 5HT into cells, by forcing the 5HT to remain outside the cell, it is more likely to activate neighbouring cells and improve communication between them. DS is not typically associated with depression. However, fluoxetine can act by other mechanisms in different situations. In DS, where brain stem cells are lacking, fluoxetine can increase the production of these. The other exciting aspect of this discovery is that fluoxetine is already approved by drug administration agencies around the world for use in humans. While it's use in infants is not wide spread, clinical testing here is sure to advance.

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Randal