Systematic review of the effect of therapeutic dietary supplements and drugs on cognitive function in subjects with Down syndrome.

Full Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effects of therapeutic dietary supplements and drugs on cognitive function in subjects with Down syndrome. The study design was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials of dietary supplements and/or drugs reporting any assessment of cognitive function in subjects with Down syndrome. Eleven trials were identified with 373 randomized participants. None of the trials reported cognitive enhancing effect in subjects with Down syndrome. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to the heterogeneous nature of the population, interventions and outcome measures used. Overall, the quality of the trials was poor with few subjects and generally inadequate allocation concealment of the treatments given. This comprehensive systematic review provides no positive evidence that any combination of drugs, vitamins and minerals enhance either cognitive function or psychomotor development in people with Down syndrome. However, because of the small number of subjects involved and the overall unsatisfactory quality of the trials, an effect cannot be excluded at this point. At present there is no justification for the use of such regimes outside the context of large well designed trials. Parents of children with Down syndrome should be actively discouraged from giving these 'miracle drugs' to their children.

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Author information

Author/s: Salman, Michael (M);

Affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurosciences, King's College Hospital, London, UK. Michael.Salman(-atsign-)sickkids.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Review

Journal: European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (Eur J Paediatr Neurol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 6 (issue 4) : pp 213-9

Dates: Created 2002/10/10; Completed 2002/11/26; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12374588, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Child
Child, Preschool
Cognition - drug effects
Databases as Topic
Dietary Supplements
Down Syndrome - diet therapy; drug therapy

Female
Humans
Male
Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; therapeutic use
Piracetam - pharmacology; therapeutic use
Psychomotor Performance - drug effects
Vitamins - pharmacology; therapeutic use

Associated Chemicals: Neuroprotective Agents (0) ; Vitamins (0) ; Piracetam (7491-74-9)

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