Controversial new drug
for dementia
Compound Q moves ahead
People with AIDS who also have mental
deterioration may benefit from drugs known
as calcium channel blockers, according to
researchers at the Harvard Medical School.
By studying rat brains, these researchers have
shown that a portion of the outer coat of HIV
upsets the delicate balance of calcium within
brain cells and damages the brain. However,
this balance can be restored by a calcium
channel blocking drug called nimodipine.
Calcium channel blockers are already used to
treat high blood pressure and some kinds of
heart disease. These researchers hope to soon
test calcium channel blockers with PWAs who
have mental problems stemming from HIV.
Reference: E. Dreyer and others. HIV-1 coat
protein neurotoxicity prevented by calcium
channel antagonists. Science, April 20,
1990: 346-66.
Project Inform received approval from the
Food and Drug Administration to resume its
study of the controversial drug Compound Q
with people with AIDS. Earlier, Project
Inform had conducted unsanctioned trials with
the drug. Critics of Compound Q complain
that earlier studies showed little benefit from
the drug. Critics also claim that continued
research with Compound Q puts people with
AIDS at undue risk and delays the study of
more promising drugs.
Reference: J. Palca. Trials and tribulations
of AIDS Drug Testing. Science, April 1990,
»
pg: 1406.
Doctors warned of side effects
from ddl
In a letter to doctors who treat people with
AIDS, Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. warned that
people with AIDS may develop pancreatitis
after taking the drug ddl. So far, 78 people
have developed pancreatitis and seven have
died as a result. Bristol-Meyers recommends
that ddl not be given to people who abuse
alcohol.
The drug company also warns against
givig ddl to people who take certain
medicines including Tylenol, opiates,
antituberculous antibiotics, sulpha drugs,
intravenous pentamidine, and others. Ddl .
fights HIV, and is usually given to people
who experience side effects from AZT.
A ID S
antibody screening
In The Privacy O f Your O w n Home
• Total Anonymity Assured
• Test Results from State
Certified Laboratory
• Screening by Nurse Practitioner
• Day, Evening and Saturday
Appointments
UPPliv
overeating, binging, purging
anxiety, depression
substance abuse, codependency
relationship and sexuality concerns
life transitions and goals
A m o r e r e w a r d in g p a s s i o n th a n fo o d :
t r u e in t im a c y , b e lo n g in g a n d s e lf w o r t h ."
H e a lth C a re
Health (.are
M A t
•
•
•
•
•
"...
<ttZ3 658-5500
mm
P sy ch oth erap y for E ating D isorders
and R elated P roblem s
x 1
■
«*
Jon i Cady, MSW, RCSW
( 5 0 3 ) 6 3 5 -5 1 6 3
Insurance accepted.
A new protease shows promise
- B Y JE F F R E Y Z U R L I N D E N
ARC and AIDS
ARC and AIDS patients enrolled in a
study to test AZT in combination with a drug
called beta interferon were asked to stop
taking the beta interferon. According to Dr.
Von Roenn at Northwestern Memorial
Hospital, there were no significant differences
in the occurrence of opportunistic infections
between the groups of people who took beta
interferon, and the people wfio did not take
the drug. Although data from the study will be
analyzed later in greater detail, now it appears
that people with ARC or AIDS do not benefit
from taking beta interferon. Studies are
continuing in Chicago to test the usefulness of
beta interferon to treat Kaposi’s sarcoma.
In test tube experiments, protease inhibitor
Compound XVII, developed by Roche
Products Ltd., was a potent killer of HIV and
may cause few side effects. This new
compound, like all protease inhibitors,
interferes with the ability of HIV to build
pieces of itself within the core of the virus and
reproduce. Protease inhibitors work in an
entirely different way than does AZT.
However, protease is also needed by
uninfected cells to remain healthy. In early
experiments, Compound XVII selectively
interfered with HIV without harming other
healthy cells. Researchers hope that protease
inhibitors will one day provide an effective
therapy either alone or in combination with
AZT.
Reference: N. Roberts and others. Rational
design of peptide-based HIV protease
inhibitors. Science, April 20,1990: 358-61.
Hired Hands Massage Co.
"Customized massage the way you like it.
In your home, hotel or my uptown office."
John Clark, LMT
645-6826
In/Out Call
★
★
★
By appointment only
$35 per hour
7 days a week
00 DAY FINANCING
NO INTEREST
BEACH ACCESS
KITCHENETTES
SECLUDED
★ QUIET
★
★
AFFORDABLE
PETS WELCOME
EXPERT
SERVICE
SPO RT SH O P
OLD TOWN
PORTLAND
35 NW Third Ave
227-3535
On The Long Beach Peninsula
P.O .Box 385
3 Vi hours from Seattle
Ocean Park, W A 9 8 6 4 0
OPEN
EVERY DAY
LAKE OSW EGO
VILLAGE CENTER
91 S State St
636-3521
2 V i hours from Portland
(
206 ) 665-4000
BEST VALUE
BEST SERVICE
yurt o u /T 5 ▼ June 1990