The importance of understanding individual differences in Down syndrome [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

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

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neurology & Dementia
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental & Pediatric Neurology
• Medical Genetics
• Neural Homeostasis
• Neurobiology of Disease & Regeneration
• Neurodevelopment
• Neurogenetics