A New Drug Improves Learning in Lab Mice with Down Syndrome

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is a new drug that greatly and consistently improves the mental ability of lab mice with Down syndrome. Treated Down syndrome mice were found to have the same amount of memory and learning capacity as untreated mice. The benefits of the treatment lasted as long as two months after treatment was stopped. This drug blocks the effects of the inhibitory GABA neurotransmitter, which is believed to be a significant cause of the mental symptoms of Down syndrome. This drug does cause epilepsy if taken in high enough doses, so clinical testing has not yet ensued. This drug, if used in practice, could potentially help Down syndrome patients live more normal lives.

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