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Brings together scientists of diverse backgrounds, by facilitating the integration of research directed at different levels of biological organization, and by highlighting translational research and the application of the existing scientific knowledge to develop improved down syndrome treatments and cures

Table of Contents

Therapeutic approaches in the improvement of cognitive performance in Down syndrome: past, present and future
Rafael de la Torre and Mara Dierssen

Genomic determinants in the phenotypic variability of Down syndrome
Audrey Letourneau and Stylianos E. Antonarakis

Intellectual disabilities, neuronal post-transcriptional RNA-metabolism and RNA-binding proteins: three actors for a complex scenario
Barbara Bardoni, Sabiha Abekhoukh, Samantha Zongaro and Mireille Melko

Aberrant epigenetic landscape in mental retardation
Sanchez-Mut JV, Huertas D. and Esteller M.

Pathways to cognitive deficits in Down syndrome
Xiaolu Sturgeon, Thanh Le, Md. Mahiuddin Ahmed and Katheleen J. Gardiner

Neurological Phenotypes for Down Syndrome across the Lifespan
Ira T. Lott, MD

Human and mouse model cognitive phenotypes in Down syndrome: Implications for assessment
Jamie O. Edgin, Gina M. Mason, Goffredina Spanò, Andrea Fernández and Lynn Nadel

Perturbation of dendritic protrusions in intellectual disability
Josien Levenga and Rob Willemsen

The in vivo Down syndrome genomic library in mouse
Yann Herault, Arnaud Duchon, Emilie Velot, Damien Maréchal and Véronique Brault

Discoveries in Down Syndrome: Moving Basic Science to Clinical Care
A.M. Kleschevnikov, P.V. Belichenko, A. Salehi and C. Wu

A Sonic hedgehog (Shh) response deficit in trisomic cells may be a common denominator for multiple features of Down syndrome
Duane G. Currier, Renita C. Polk and Roger H. Reeves

Gene therapy for Down syndrome Cristina Fillat and Xavier Altafaj

About the Author

Mara Dierssen is a Doctor in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Cantabria, (1989). She leads the Cellular and Systems Neurobiology laboratory at the Genomic Regulation Center (CRG) and is associate researcher of the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, where she promoted the creation of a translational research program to study new therapeutic approaches in intellectual disability. Her main current scientific interests are focused on the study of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying memory and learning and their alteration in complex diseases (polygenic and multifactorial) and in the development and application of this knowledge to the field of clinical practice.

Among her scientific contributions in the field of neurobiology and neuropharmacology is the identification of the alterations of neuroplasticity in various intellectual deficiencies and psychiatric pathology, and the determination of their molecular mechanisms. She is internationally recognized in the study of Down syndrome, whose findings, especially the involvement of the DYRK1A gene in the neuronal pathology of this syndrome, have had a direct impact on the identification of new pharmacological targets. Dr. Dierssen has demonstrated for the first time significant beneficial effects of a pharmacological treatment that improves neuroplasticity in the field of intellectual disability, a finding that has revolutionized the therapeutic approaches in cognitive disorders. Her scientific interest in innovating tools and strategies, incorporating brain-computer interface technologies to improve communication in patients with cerebral palsy, or cognitive stimulation videogames are also in the forefront of Neuroscience. He has published more than 160 research papers in indexed scientific journals. At present, the H index (Hirsch Factor) of Dr. Dierssen is 46.

Dr. Dierssen is one of the few Spanish members of the Europaea Academy of Sciences, and has held different positions of responsibility, being president of the Spanish Society of Neurosciences, the International Behavioral and Neural Genetics Society and the Trisomy 21 Research Society.

She has obtained the Ramón Trías Fargas Prizes, National Prize of Thought and Scientific Culture of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Jaime Blanco, Sisley-Lejeune Award, Hillie-Mahoney Award, Trébol Down Spain Award, Optimists Committed Award, Trifermed Social Impact of Healthcare Award, BigVang Medal
among others. She has been named Distinguished Student of the University of Cantabria, and is an honorary member of the College of Physicians. She is elected member of the European Allianz for the Brain (EDAB), founding member of the Spanish Association for the Advancement of Science, member of the Scientific Council of the Pla de Ciència of Barcelona, among other positions.

She has held teaching positions at the Ramón Llull University, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Cantabria, and has directed more than 20 doctoral theses and trained a large number of researchers, most of whom run their own groups in prestigious centers.