Promising Treatment for AIDS Dementia Complex: Highlights of Neurological Research from the VIII International Conference on AIDS, Amsterdam, July 19-24, 1992
Seattle Treatment Education Project: STEP Perspective - Volume 4, Number 3 - October 1992 Lyn Frumkin, M.D., Ph.D.
Dementia is a progressive deterioration of intellectial function in areas such as language and memory, and it has many causes. The dementia associated with AIDS (termed AIDS dementia complex or ADC) occurs as the result of direct HIV infection of the brain in the absence of brain opportunistic infections or cancers, and affects a large percentage of those with AIDS. There is no treatment to reverse ADC, although zidovudine (AZT) may slow the intellectual deterioration and in many cases may improve mental function. Peculiarly, HIV does not infect brain neurons, the cells intimately involved in the process of thinking. Although it is not known how HIV disturbs barin neurons and contributes to dementia, one theory is that gp120 (the outer protein coat of HIV) is toxic and disrupts the function of these cells. A group led by Dr. Candace Pert (Peptide Design, Rockville, MD) reported to the amsterdam conference that Peptide T, an experimental gp120 receptor blocker, improved some of the weakness and problems in thinking associated with ADC.
Fifty-six persons with CDC Group IV HIV disease were tested at the beginning of the study and at 12 weeks following intranasal administration of Peptide T. No toxicity was reported and improvement in neuropsychological test performance occurred in most patients.
COMMENT: Based on this data, larger studies of the effect of Peptide T on ADC seem warranted, and should include control groups such as comparisons with persons with ADC who are on AZT.
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.