Abstract
The importance of neurological diseases has attracted much attention of the public as well as scientists from the viewpoints of both scientific and social problems. It has often been suggested that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases and the preventive role of antioxidants, above all vitamin E analgues, has been the subjects of extensive studies and arguments. Despite numerous basic and clinical studies, the effects of oxidative stress and vitamin E have not been elucidated yet. Down syndrome (DS), characterized by trisomy of chromosome 21, is the most common genetic cause of mental retardation and precocious dementia. Recent studies suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in DS and beneficial effects of vitamin E in animal studies. In this article, the role of oxidative stress and vitamin E in DS will be critically reviewed.
