AZT reverses AIDS dementia in children

Article Abstract:

AZT can reverse the dementia caused by AIDS in children, and possibly in adults as well. Dementia is a loss of intellectual function. Children with AIDS dementia may forget familiar words such as "mommy" and "daddy", lose IQ (intelligence quotient) points and slip in school performance. The drug AZT (azidothymidine or zidovudine) has reversed these symptoms, giving parents and children important time to communicate and adjust to this painful disease. Surprisingly the AIDS virus follows a different time course in children and adults; dementia occurs early in children but only in the last stages of AIDS in adults. The promising results from giving AZT to children are showing scientists that AIDS does not necessarily cause permanent brain damage. Further understanding of how AZT protects the brain may lead to its application in other diseases involving dementia. Preliminary work is already underway to use AZT in Alzheimer's disease, a severe dementia affecting over 2 million elderly persons in the US. Autistic children, who have difficulty with language and social interaction, may also benefit. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes AIDS may affect the brain by producing a substance toxic to its cells, or may directly infect the brain cells. AZT, as well as other, newer AIDS drugs, may keep the virus from injuring the brain even if the drugs cannot completely kill the virus. The method of drug administration appears crucial, with constant delivery recommended. This can be achieved with either continuous infusion from an implanted device or sustained-release capsules. The limitations of AZT must be recognized as well; it does not cure AIDS and eventually becomes toxic. Typically, when AZT must be withdrawn, the dementia returns and death ultimately ensues.

Evaluation, Dementia, AIDS dementia, AIDS dementia complex

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Dingell: AIDS researcher in conflict

Article Abstract:

The details of a case currently under review by the House subcommittee on oversight and investigation, headed by Representative John Dingell, are presented. A former member of the laboratory of Robert C. Gallo at the National Cancer Institute, Syed Zaki Salahuddin, is under investigation for alleged conflict of interest. According to testimony, Salahuddin and his wife may have had a financial interest in a biotechnology company (Pan-Data) that received considerable remuneration from Dr. Gallo's laboratory over a period of several years. Mr. Dingell has raised questions about the ability of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to handle their own affairs, and about the way the NIH keeps track of scientific equipment. Although Dr. Gallo, a prominent AIDS investigator, demanded an accounting from Saluhuddin in 1985, he did not pursue the issue after the president of Pan-Data denied, in writing, any connection between the Saluhuddins and the company. Saluhuddin has been suspended from NIH without pay and awaits the outcome of a criminal investigation by the U.S. attorney. He has declined to testify before the committee on Fifth Amendment grounds, and has appealed the suspension. At an earlier point in the investigation, he claimed it was his wife, not he, who was connected to Pan-Data. Dingell's points about equipment inventory include the contention that some equipment may have ended up at Pan-Data, and that no proper inventory has been taken during the past five years. Hearings on this matter will continue. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Investigations, Ethical aspects, Medical research, United States. National Institutes of Health, United States. Congress. House, United States. Congress. House. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

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AIDS drugs remain unavailable for kids

Article Abstract:

Even though research shows that AZT can help children with AIDS dementia (cognitive deterioration), the drug has not been approved for children. Only those few children able to participate in a research trial can get the drug. Insurance companies will not pay the annual bill of up to $4,000 because AZT has not gained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for children. Physicians at the National Cancer Institute are fighting for changes to the system that now requires extensive separate tests for all drugs that are to be used in children. Some have suggested making tests for safety alone, and not efficacy, sufficient to approve a drug for children with life-threatening diseases. AZT did not originally go through the complete testing protocol for children as well as adults because its manufacturer did not anticipate substantial sales to the pediatric age group. The manufacturer of AZT, Burroughs Wellcome, claims it is now hurrying to submit data to the FDA concerning pediatric use of AZT. Some physicians do not believe the company is working quickly enough, and also fault it for charging an excessive price for the drug. AIDS patients are rarely able to cover the annual cost through their own savings or insurance, so the federal government pays most of the bill. Ultimately the taxpayers are supporting Burroughs Wellcome. The high price is not justified, officials at the National Institutes of Health say, because the manufacturer received much government assistance in developing the drug.

Management, Laws, regulations and rules, Mandatory drug testing, Drug testing

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