Amino acids are critical for normal brain development, and therefore have a significant impact on Down syndrome. Although many hope that taking supplemental amino acids will help treat Down syndrome, this has not yet been proven.
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. This can cause slower mental and physical development in the impacted person. Signs of Down syndrome include a deep crease in the palm of the hand, small hands and feet, a flat face that has an upward slant to its features and limited muscle tone. Down syndrome can cause health ailments such as thyroid, bone, vision, hearing and digestive problems. There is a one in 1,250 chance of the baby of a 25-year-old woman having Down syndrome, according to the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are a category of proteins that your body uses to build tissue, to grow and develop normally and to fulfill a variety of other organic functions. Your body can produce some amino acids itself, while others must come from your diet. Most high-protein foods, like meats and dairy products, are rich amino acid sources.
Amino Acids and Down Syndrome
Many different organizations have studied the connection between amino acid levels and Down syndrome. For example, a 2007 study published by the "Journal of Neural Transmission" found that adults with Down syndrome showed consistently lower-than-normal levels of most essential amino acids. Similarly, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics also published a study in 2007 that found that fetal brain levels of several different amino acids tend to be abnormally low.
Amino Acids Treatment
The "Italian Journal of Biochemistry" found that the amino acid levels of children with Down syndrome who took amino acid supplements increased to near normal levels. Therefore, it is possible that in the future amino acid supplementation and similar treatments could hold promise for individuals with Down syndrome. However, these treatments require further study for their effectiveness to be proven. The Food and Drug Administration required two companies selling amino acid supplements as a treatment for a variety of brain disorders to cease sale of these products in 2011 due to the fact that their claims had not yet been proven.
References
- MedlinePlus: Down Syndrome
- National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: Down Syndrome
- MedlinePlus: Amino Acids
- Journal of Neural Transmission: Plasma Amino Acids and Neopterin in Healthy Persons with Down’s Syndrome
- Pediatrics: Fetal Down Syndrome Brains Exhibit Aberrant Levels of Neurotransmitters Critical for Normal Brain Development
- Italian Journal of Biochemistry: Aminoacid Profile and Oxidative Status in Children Affected by Down Syndrome Before and After Supplementary Nutritional Treatment
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Minnesota Companies Agree to Halt Sale of Amino-Acid Products with Unapproved Claims
Member Comments