text_1: Old drug could cure HIV-linked dementia
text_2: Patients with HIV may develop dementia as a result of the virus in the brain or inflammation as a result of the illness. The typical symptoms of HIV-associated dementia include short-term memory loss, slowing of thinking, difficulties with complex tasks, and social withdrawal. Neurological symptoms such as hand tremor and gait difficulties are also common. This story is about a study that tested an anti-seizure medication, valproic acid (Depakote), on cognitive functioning in 22 patients in over a 10-week period. 16 people in the study had HIV-related cognitive impairment, while 6 did not. Valproic acid is FDA approved to prevent seizures, but it is currently also used off-label for treatment of certain mental illnesses and in Alzheimer’s patients, as it is thought to prevent or reverse cognitive decline. The storyâ€™s description of study design and results is incomplete and there is no quantitative data presented on benefits or side effects. The study only lasted 10 weeks, and while there was a trend towards improvement, the story made no explanation of what â€œimprovementâ€ means or how it was measured or in how many people it was observed. It is important that the journalist mentions the need for a larger clinical trial to replicate results. 22 people is a very small sample to suggest generalizability of the results in terms of treating HIV dementia with valproic acid, so the headline is overzealous. There is still no “cure” for HIV-related dementia and current non-experimental options for treating this condition are not mentioned. The story doesnâ€™t mention side effects of taking valproic acid. The quote that it is “safe and well-tolerated by this population” does not provide enough information for a piece reporting the results of a published study. Also, 10 weeks is not enough time to assess long-term side effects for this medication in HIV patients. Anti-convulsant drugs like Depakote can have serious side effects when taken long term. These include weight gain, edema, sleepiness, gastrointestinal problems and liver toxicity.