Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when a baby has an extra 21st chromosome. It is usually diagnosed after birth through a physical exam and a blood test called a karyotype.
The most common form of Down syndrome is trisomy 21, which happens when a developing fetus has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the typical two. A smaller number of cases are due to a shift in chromosomes known as translocation or mosaic Down syndrome.
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While humans are the only creatures that can develop down syndrome, animals like tigers, dogs, monkeys, and lions can experience very similar conditions to down syndrome. This is because they share a lot of the same chromosomes as humans. Despite this, these animals are not diagnosed with down syndrome but rather a condition that is very similar to it.
Researchers are studying these monkeys in an effort to better understand the cause of human down syndrome and find ways to treat it. Currently, there is no cure for down syndrome but this research could lead to future breakthroughs. Researchers are analyzing the brain circuitry of the monkeys to determine how it is affected by this mutation. This may help them identify new drug targets to target and eventually treat the condition.
In another study, a group of scientists has used a special computer to restore movement to paralyzed monkeys. This technology uses sensors to read muscle movements and translate them into commands that the machine can understand. Using this system, the monkeys regained control of their wrist muscles. The results of the study suggest that a similar system could be used to help people with spinal cord injuries.
One of the most interesting discoveries in the study was that monkeys who had a specific gene variant were more likely to have down syndrome. This is because the gene in question is related to serotonin signaling, which is linked to psychiatric disorders. Earlier studies have shown that a certain type of autism-related gene also raises the risk for down syndrome in humans.
Despite being a relatively rare disorder, Down syndrome affects about 1 in 800 births. This is because of a genetic change that occurs during fetal development. This change causes an extra copy of chromosome 21. Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London have discovered that a gene called Dyrk1a is responsible for changes in skull and face shape associated with Down Syndrome. They also found that three other genes are involved in these changes, but they are not yet known.
Physical Therapy
Down syndrome is the most common genetic disorder and is caused when a single error in cell division occurs during early development. This mistake wreaks havoc with the structure of chromosome 21, giving rise to an extra copy that causes a range of physical and intellectual impairments. Researchers aren’t sure why this mistake happens, but they know it isn’t random. Some chromosomes are more vulnerable to errors during cell replication than others, which may be why some individuals with Down syndrome have more severe symptoms than others.
Cynomolgus monkeys are often used as model organisms for human diseases, as they are physiologically and anatomically very similar to humans. Over 25,000 of these monkeys are bred and reared at the Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories, Ltd Group in Kagoshima, Japan. Among these animals, one female had trisomy 21 at birth. She showed a variety of phenotypes commonly associated with Down syndrome, such as short stature, mental retardation, clubbed digits (malocclusion), wide 1-2 toe gap, and curved pinkie. She also exhibited a flat nose and enlarged optic disc cupping (coloboma).
Scientists don’t know how common this condition is in chimps, but they suspect it isn’t far off from the incidence of trisomy 21 in humans. The chimpanzee in the case report experienced stunted growth, infantile cataracts, vision problems, and congenital heart disease, as well as a shortened life expectancy, all of which are associated with human Down syndrome.
Aside from these phenotypes, the chimpanzee with trisomy 22 appeared normal in all other ways. She had a normal gestation period and gave birth to offspring with no other signs of abnormality. The chimpanzee’s mother, Kanae, and father, Tarou, had a total of seven offspring before the birth of their daughter.
Despite the fact that Down syndrome is associated with physical disabilities, physical therapy can help to prevent many of these issues. For example, PT can help to correct the abnormal movement patterns that many people with Down syndrome are prone to developing, which can lead to orthopedic or functional issues such as a torticollis (a head tilt that occurs because of weak neck muscles). PT can also include exercise and activities that can promote general strength and flexibility.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is a recommended option for those with Down Syndrome to improve their communication skills. However, it is important to know that not all children with Down Syndrome need speech therapy. If you are concerned about your child’s communication abilities, you should contact a Speech Language Pathologist for a consultation and evaluation.
Children with Down Syndrome often have sluggish tongue movements, which can lead to imprecise pronunciations and an inability to produce many sounds correctly. To help with this, Speech Language Pathologists recommend incorporating Oro-motor exercises into speech therapy. These involve articulating the sounds of words in a mirror and repeating them until your child begins to imitate them. They also encourage you to talk about objects in a book and point to them, if possible, to help your child associate words with their names.
Occupational Therapy is another type of therapy that can be beneficial to people with Down Syndrome. Occupational therapists are trained to teach individuals to do what they want and need to do by addressing sensory, social, behavioral, motor, and environmental issues that may hinder performance. Ultimately, Occupational Therapy can increase independence and quality of life for people with Down Syndrome. In addition, it can improve participation in everyday activities such as eating and bathing.