New evidence suggests that there is some relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.  This excites me because my grandmother, the wonderful woman who took care of me and raised me, now has Alzheimer’s disease.

My grandmother now lives in a special nursing home.  I have also learned that I must advocate for her in many of the same ways that I advocate for my little Isaac, who has Down Syndrome.

The research for the University of Florida indicates that Amyloid protein, which accumulates in cells and disrupts critical cell functions, has been identified as factor that causes BOTH Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome.

The scientists have found that patients with Alzheimer’s have nerve cells that contain three copies of chromosome 21.  People with Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 in every cell of their bodies.

Amyloid protein is produced by chromosome 21.

This also seems to explain why so many people with Down syndrome( an estimated 25 %) are at rick of getting Alzheimer’s disease by age 30 to 40…which is about 20 years earlier than the rest of the population.

This research is groundbreaking.  Scientists have also found a link between the same Amyloid protein and diabetes and atherosclerosis.

These findings could lead to new treatments for at least a few diseases..including Alzheimer’s disease.

You can read the articles by clicking on the link below:

http://alzheimers-disease.suite101.com/article.cfm/alzheimers_disease_linked_to_down_syndrome