Green Tea Compound Could Help Treat Down Syndrome

Drinking green tea may improve some of the intellectual capabilities in people with Down's syndrome, new research suggests

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 06th Nov, 2017 ) :Drinking green tea may improve some of the intellectual capabilities in people with Down's syndrome, new research suggests. The study found that epigallocatechin gallate - a compound present in green tea - has the potential to improve a range of different brain functions in those living with the syndrome when paired with cognitive stimulation activities.

This is the first time that a treatment has shown some efficacy in the improvement of some cognitive tasks in persons with this syndrome, lead author Dr Mara Dierssen said in a study published in The Lancet Neurology.

According to the World Health Organisation, Down's syndrome affects approximately one out of 1,000 people in the world and is the most common cause of genetic-origin intellectual disability.

Along with fellow study lead Dr Rafael de la Torre, Dr Dierssen and her team sought to investigate how the green tea compound could limit the affects of the additional chromosome.

They worked with 84 people with Down's syndrome aged between 16 and 34 for the year-long study. Half the study participants received cognitive training while taking a placebo pill, while the other half practiced the same exercises while receiving the green tea compound.

Those in the latter group showed score improvements in visual recognition memory, the ability to focus on tasks and adaptive behaviour (social and practical skills needed to live independently).