A gene that causes heart defects in Down syndrome has been identified by scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University College London.
Down syndrome is a condition that results from an additional copy of chromosome 21.
The researchers have shown that by reducing the overactivity of this gene in mice, the heart defects are partially reversed. They hope that this early-stage research may lead to potential future therapies for heart conditions in people with Down syndrome.
They have published their findings in Science Translational Medicine, and have written a press release.
