Shot helps retarded mice get smarter

I read yesterday where retarded mice were given shots (don't ask me of what) in the lab and it actually increased their intelligence. Now, I'm not sure besides genetically, how they know if the mice is retarded and I'm not sure how they know if the mice increased it's IQ, but it would be amazing if it could work!

This procedure involves gene therapy and the mice were assessed for 'intelligence' by a standard battery of tests. Basically, if properly developed, this procedure would be used more for people with neurological problems than to actually enhance intelligence in humans. Besides, the side effects in humans -- which may not occur or be visible in mice -- are currently unknown, so the technique needs to be approached very cautiously.

There's a pretty good article from 1999 at the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/435816.stm

Well, the story I read said that this was being developed for use in down syndrome patients/people. We'll see.

Although I am not sure about people suffering from Down's syndrome, I can see some applications here in the treatment of disorders such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, or any disease that affects the central nervous system.