Down syndrome

the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and the role of thyroid hormone

Authors

  • Gisele Giannocco Universidade Federal de São Paulo
  • Andréa Vancetto Maglione Universidade Federal de São Paulo
  • Jéssica Salles Henrique Universidade Federal de São Paulo
  • Janaina Sena de Souza Universidade Federal de São Paulo; University of California

Abstract

Trisomy of chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome (DS) and affects around 1 in 700 live births in the USA and 11.2 in 10,000 live births in Europe. For about a century, the birth of individuals with DS was associated with advanced maternal age and now the cases of late motherhood are becoming more common. DS is the most common genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability; and advancements in science in developed countries have made it possible for people affected by this syndrome to live longer, but an extended life span has brought with it Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which exacerbates the cognitive decline in these individuals. The onset of AD occurs much earlier in DS individuals than in the general population. AD is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disease, which induces decreasing memory capacity and cognition. Several important genes related to AD are overexpressed in DS due to the extra chromosome. The production of hormones that are very important to the development of the central nervous system, such as thyroid hormones, is affected by DS. Patients with AD have been reported to present changes in the homeostasis of thyroid hormones. In order to understand AD in DS and try to find ways to improve the quality of life of these individuals, the understanding of these three conditions, DS, AD, and TH homeostasis, is central to finding better treatments and improving patient well-being.

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Author Biography

Gisele Giannocco, Universidade Federal de São Paulo

Trisomy of chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome (DS) and affects around 1 in 700 live births in the USA and 11.2 in 10,000 live births in Europe. For about a century, the birth of individuals with DS was associated with advanced maternal age and now the cases of late motherhood are becoming more common. DS is the most common genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability; and advancements in science in developed countries have made it possible for people affected by this syndrome to live longer, but an extended life span has brought with it Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which exacerbates the cognitive decline in these individuals. The onset of AD occurs much earlier in DS individuals than in the general population. AD is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disease, which induces decreasing memory capacity and cognition. Several important genes related to AD are overexpressed in DS due to the extra chromosome. The production of hormones that are very important to the development of the central nervous system, such as thyroid hormones, is affected by DS. Patients with AD have been reported to present changes in the homeostasis of thyroid hormones. In order to understand AD in DS and try to find ways to improve the quality of life of these individuals, the understanding of these three conditions, DS, AD, and TH homeostasis, is central to finding better treatments and improving patient well-being.

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Published

2020-07-16

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Artigos