Guest guest Posted April 13, 2001 Report Share Posted April 13, 2001 No " Smart Drug " Help for Down syndrome, Study Says " The Associated Press -- 4/13/01 Chicago-- One of the first studies of a so-called " smart drug " for Down syndrome suggests that it does not boost children's intellectual ability, despite testimonials on TV and the Internet. In fact, the drug, called piracetam, had side effects such as aggression, irritability, and poor sleep in some of the youngsters. Piracetam (pronounced pur-AHS-uh-tam) is not approved for any use in the United States. " We did not identify even a single case that would suggest the possibility that piracetam therapy generally improved cognition, " researchers said in the study, which appears in April's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. The study of 18 children ages 6 through 12 found no significant difference in mental function between those who took the drug and those who were given placebo pills. Each child received four months of piracetam and four months of placebos. Though parents of 11 children thought they seemed brighters or more focused on piracetam, intelligence tests showed no improvement compared with the placebo. The behavioral side effects in seven children suggested the drug has a stimulant effect, the researchers said. Dr. Lobaugh of the University of Toronto, who led the study, said some parents might mistake that effect -- like being " wired " on coffee -- with improved mental function. Her study follows numerous TV reports and Internet testimonials promoting the benefits of piracetam for children with Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that is a common cause of mental retardation. While the severity of Down syndrome varies, such children can learn and progress as they mature. Critics of piracetam say some parents are mistakenly crediting the drug for normal developmental changes. The study " should temper our enthusiasm for piracetam markedly, " said Dr. Feudtner of the University of Washington's Child Health Institute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2001 Report Share Posted April 13, 2001 Ive also been told piracetam can cause heart problems too. I know UIHC dont agree with or suggest any use of piracetam or nutriviene-d. And ive read some issues on it at a DR lyn's site i think, cant remember that was quite awhile back when nathan was a toddler and i was studying up on that stuff. shawna. >From: " CK " <ckc@...> >Reply- ><Undisclosed-Recipient:;> >Subject: Study about P--m >Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 10:12:12 -0400 > >No " Smart Drug " Help for Down syndrome, Study Says " >The Associated Press -- 4/13/01 > >Chicago-- One of the first studies of a so-called " smart drug " for Down >syndrome suggests that it does not boost children's intellectual ability, >despite testimonials on TV and the Internet. > >In fact, the drug, called piracetam, had side effects such as aggression, >irritability, and poor sleep in some of the youngsters. Piracetam >(pronounced pur-AHS-uh-tam) is not approved for any use in the United >States. > > " We did not identify even a single case that would suggest the possibility >that piracetam therapy generally improved cognition, " researchers said in >the study, which appears in April's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent >Medicine. > >The study of 18 children ages 6 through 12 found no significant difference >in mental function between those who took the drug and those who were given >placebo pills. Each child received four months of piracetam and four >months >of placebos. > >Though parents of 11 children thought they seemed brighters or more focused >on piracetam, intelligence tests showed no improvement compared with the >placebo. The behavioral side effects in seven children suggested the drug >has a stimulant effect, the researchers said. > >Dr. Lobaugh of the University of Toronto, who led the study, said >some >parents might mistake that effect -- like being " wired " on coffee -- with >improved mental function. > >Her study follows numerous TV reports and Internet testimonials promoting >the benefits of piracetam for children with Down syndrome, a chromosomal >abnormality that is a common cause of mental retardation. > >While the severity of Down syndrome varies, such children can learn and >progress as they mature. Critics of piracetam say some parents are >mistakenly crediting the drug for normal developmental changes. > >The study " should temper our enthusiasm for piracetam markedly, " said Dr. >Feudtner of the University of Washington's Child Health Institute. > > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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