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Ontogenetic changes in serum S100B in Down syndrome patients
Cristina B O Netto1, Luis V Portela, Cristina T Ferreira
1Dept. Bioquimica, ICBS, UFRGS, Rua Euripedes Monteiro Duarte 10/305, Porto Alegre, RS, 90830-250, Brazil. cristina.netto@ufrgs.br
Clinical Biochemistry
|April 12, 2005
Summary
Down syndrome (DS) patients exhibit elevated S100B protein levels in serum, which are not age-dependent. These higher S100B levels may indicate increased extracellular space and neurodegeneration in DS.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is associated with documented alterations in brain tissue.
- Elevated levels of the S100B protein have been previously observed in the brain tissue of DS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum S100B levels in individuals with Down syndrome.
- To compare S100B levels between DS patients and healthy controls.
- To determine the relationship between S100B levels and age in DS patients.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 48 DS patients and 42 age-matched healthy controls.
- S100B protein concentrations were measured in all serum samples.
Main Results:
- Serum S100B levels were significantly higher in the DS patient group compared to the control group.
- Unlike in healthy individuals, serum S100B levels in DS patients did not show a dependency on age.
Conclusions:
- The elevated serum S100B in DS patients may suggest a generalized and sustained expansion of the extracellular space.
- These findings indicate a potential association between higher S100B levels and the neurodegenerative pathologies characteristic of Down syndrome.