Xylose Absorption in Down's Syndrome

Plasma amino acids in patients with senile dementia and in subjects with Down's syndrome at an age vulnerable to Alzheimer changes

“…The present study was undertaken to find if the changes in plasma amino acids seen in senile dementia occur also in Down's syndrome, while accepting that this is not a perfect model for Alzheimer's pathology, partly because Down's syndrome may be associated with malabsorption (Williams et al, 1985;O'Brien & Grosher 1986) and partly because the Alzheimer changes in Down's syndrome could have a different origin, yet share a final common pathway and resultant histopathology.…”

Intestinal barrier gene variants may not explain the increased levels of antigliadin antibodies, suggesting other mechanisms than altered permeability

“…This may imply that patients with Down syndrome have an enhanced intestinal permeability. In support of this, studies showed that 90% of patients with Down syndrome had reduced xylose absorption [18] and an impaired digestic absorption [19]. Thus, patients with Down syndrome are an interesting group to study a possible correlation between the three gene variants thought to be involved in intestinal permeability and levels of AGA.…”

Vitamin E and Alzheimer's disease in subjects with Down's syndrome

“…The short stature, characteristic skeletal, facial and dermatoglyphic abnormalities and the increased risk of congenital abnormalities affecting the cardio-vascular, gastro-intestinal and central nervous systems are well known (Penrose & Smith, 1966). Status with respect to a number of vitamins (Matin et al, 1981) and minerals (Barlow et al, 1981) has been found to be reduced, due probably to the demonstrated malabsorption (Williams et al, 1985).…”