Down Syndrome (cont.)Medical Author:
Sietske N. Heyn, PhD
Sietske N. Heyn, PhDSietske N. Heyn is a medical writer with a PhD in neuroscience. Dr. Heyn's education includes a BS with honors from the University of Oregon, and a doctoral degree in neuroscience from the University of California at Davis. After completing postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco, and many years of working as a medical writer at the Stanford University Center for Down Syndrome Research, Dr. Heyn now runs her own medical writing business. Medical Editor:
David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP
David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAPDr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. IN THIS ARTICLE
Down Syndrome and Cognitive ImpairmentDown syndrome is the leading cause for impaired cognition. Cognitive development is usually delayed and learning difficulties persist throughout life. Scientists are trying to determine what causes this dysfunction. The average brain volume of a person with Down syndrome is small and certain brain structures such as the hippocampus and the cerebellum do not function properly. The hippocampus in particular, is important for learning and memory. Through human studies and mouse models of Down syndrome, scientists are trying to find out which genes on the extra chromosome 21 affect cognition in Down syndrome. Must Read Articles Related to Down Syndrome
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In 1866, Down described clinical characteristics of the syndrome that now bears his name.
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