Welcome
to the home of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas!

The Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas provides accurate and current information, resources and support for people with Down syndrome, their families and the community.

Vision: People with Down Syndrome - valued and included.

Alternative Therapies

The following Position Statements were adopted by the Board of Directors of the National Down Syndrome Congress. For additional information go to their website at: www.ndsccenter.org or call 800-232-NDSC.

Piracetam:

The NDSC cannot recommend the use of piracetam for people with Down syndrome because there are no scientific studies proving its effectiveness and because there are concerns about adverse reactions.

Piracetam is a cyclic derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and a representative of what are commonly know as the "nootropic" drugs. It is manufactured overseas by several companies, and marketed in Europe, Mexico, and South America. It does not have Federal Drug Administration approval for any use, and not appear in the "Physicians Desk Reference." It is easily available over the internet where many claims about its usefulness in a variety of settings are made.

Vitamin and Nutritional Therapy:

To date, no vitamin or mineral nutritional supplement is known that will significantly alter the intelligence, physical characteristics or behavioral features of Down syndrome and, thus, none are supported by the NDSC.

Any substance that is claimed to significantly affect intelligence must be carefully evaluated with control individuals utilized and multiple variables measured such as thyroid function, other nutritional substances being taken, stimulation and general state of health.

Certain vitamin supplements taken in high doses are potentially toxic and can alter liver function. Vitamin A in excess can cause neurologic and dermatologic abnormalities. Vitamin C in excess can cause urinary tract irritation and frequency. Long-term effects of megavitamin therapy are not known.

Metabolism of cells in persons with Down syndrome may indeed be altered but, to-date, no specific vitamin or mineral regimen has been found in any way to ameliorate the features of Down syndrome as noted before.

Claims made by certain programs that particular vitamins "relieve," "improve," "promote," "delay" or "aid" aspects of Down syndrome are not scientifically proven in persons with Down syndrome.