To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Donepezil May Be Effective For Down's Syndrome URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/EFD86.htm Doctor's Guide March 26, 1999
LONDON, ENGLAND -- March 26, 1999 -- It is usually assumed that the disabilities associated with Down's syndrome are untreatable. In a research letter in this week's issue of The Lancet, Dr. Priya Kishnani and colleagues, from Duke University Medical School, Durham, N.C., report an improvement in communication, language ability and mood in four people with Down's syndrome treated with donepezil, a drug usually used to treat dementia. Down's syndrome is caused by a disorder of chromosomes that cannot be corrected. The effects of this disorder, especially in older people with Down's syndrome, are similar to those seen in people with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: poor communication, short attention span and changeable mood. Over the past few years, a drug that alters the way brain cells communicate with each other, donepezil, has been shown to help people with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Kishnani and colleagues tried donepezil on four people, aged 24 to 67 years, with Down's syndrome. Beneficial effects were seen within the first three months of treatment. The researchers report that improvements in communication, expressive language, attention and mood stability were noted in all four patients. The researchers do not claim their small study should lead to widespread use of donepezil, but conclude that, a larger randomised placebo-controlled trial of cholinergic therapy in Down's syndrome is warranted. Related Links: The Lancet --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.