One strategy being pursued is to find a way to block HIV from binding to cells. The virus actually binds to specific receptors on cell surfaces. Successful results using monkeys are reported in the current issue of Science.
Drug May Improve Learning in Down Syndrome Children
They conducted a 22-week preliminary clinical trial that included seven children, aged 8 to 13, with Down syndrome. After 16 weeks of taking Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride), the children showed improvements in their ability to communicate thoughts and feelings.
A larger, randomized trial is necessary to confirm the results, the researchers said.
These findings echo those of an earlier trial by the same researchers that assessed the drug's effect on adults with Down syndrome.
