Hopes For Azt Given Boost (Press, 16 December 1988)

A report published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" on 15 December 1988 indicates that AZT, the most effective medication for A.I.D.S. at the time, may be beneficial in treating cognitive dysfunction in patients suffering from the disease. The study, conducted by Dr Frederick A. Schmitt and colleagues, suggested that HIV-associated cognitive abnormalities might be partially improved following the administration of zidovudine (AZT). A.I.D.S., which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), often impacts mental capacity, and patients who exhibit neurological symptoms typically have a rapid decline in cognitive function, often with a grim prognosis and an average survival period of just four months. In this study, 281 patients with A.I.D.S. or A.I.D.S.-related complex were divided into two groups, one receiving AZT and the other a placebo. Those treated with AZT demonstrated significantly better cognitive function over a 16-week period, showing improvement in areas such as attention, memory, motor skills, and general mental speed. The researchers noted the importance of their findings as they suggest the possibility of reversing some neurological dysfunction caused by HIV infection. In a related development, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the licensing of a rapid A.I.D.S. screening test that can provide results in just five minutes. This marks the first rapid test for the virus, an advancement over the fastest existing screening tests which require three to four hours for results. The FDA highlighted that this new test, employing genetic engineering techniques, would be particularly advantageous in developing countries that often lack the resources, such as blood banks and skilled laboratory personnel, necessary for conducting traditional A.I.D.S. diagnostic tests.

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