Clinical trials in children with Down syndrome: issues from a cognitive research perspective.
Clinical and translational research play a key role in the transition of basic research discoveries to effective therapies. In Down syndrome (DS), these research approaches are not well utilized or developed to test new therapies to improve cognitive and/or adaptive function in this population. This article reviews the history of clinical trial research in children with DS from a cognitive research perspective and discusses important issues relevant to the conduct of well designed clinical trials for this population. Specific issues addressed include: funding, study design, study medication, subject recruitment and retention, safety, and efficacy challenges. The Duke Down Syndrome Research Team's program of clinical research of cholinesterase inhibitors for individuals with DS serves as the model application for the identified research principles. It is hoped that this article will raise awareness of the unmet need for clinical research in the cognitive and adaptive function of individuals with DS, especially children with DS.
Heller
James H
JH
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center (DUMC), Box 3528, 244 Bell Building, Durham, NC 27710, USA. helle001@mc.duke.edu
Spiridigliozzi
Gail A
GA
Crissman
Blythe G
BG
Sullivan-Saarela
Jennifer A
JA
Li
Jennifer S
JS
Kishnani
Priya S
PS
D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018579:Patient Selection; D012107:Research Design
D018697:Nootropic Agents