The importance of understanding individual differences in Down syndrome

F1000Res. 2016 Mar 23:5:F1000 Faculty Rev-389. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.7506.1. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

In this article, we first present a summary of the general assumptions about Down syndrome (DS) still to be found in the literature. We go on to show how new research has modified these assumptions, pointing to a wide range of individual differences at every level of description. We argue that, in the context of significant increases in DS life expectancy, a focus on individual differences in trisomy 21 at all levels-genetic, cellular, neural, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental-constitutes one of the best approaches for understanding genotype/phenotype relations in DS and for exploring risk and protective factors for Alzheimer's disease in this high-risk population.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Down syndrome; neurodevelopmental disorder; trisomy 21.

Publication types

  • Review