During the mid- to late 1990s, television shows such as Nightline and 48 Hours and Internet newsgroup participants reported that children with Down syndrome had shown improved cognitive function after taking the drug piracetam, which is commonly used for treating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dyslexia. Anecdotal claims of increased concentration and improved speech and language skills caused many parents and scientists to wonder if piracetam could improve the cognitive skills of children with Down syndrome.

Researchers in Toronto investigated the effects of piracetam on 18 children with Down syndrome. During the study, each child was treated first with either piracetam or a placebo and then was switched to the other treatment during the second phase of the study. The study included tests of cognitive function and teacher and parent surveys of the child's behaviors. Overall, cognitive testing did not show a significant difference between the performance of the children taking piracetam and the children taking the placebo.

Some of the children receiving piracetam experienced known side effects of the drug including aggressiveness, violent behavior, agitation, sexual arousal, sleep problems, and decreased appetite.

What This Means to You: Although anecdotally the drug piracetam has been said to improve the cognitive function of children with Down syndrome, the results of this study do not support this claim. Discuss any questions you have about possible treatments for your child with Down syndrome with your child's doctor.

Source: Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, April 2001

Down Syndrome Links Nutrition
created in August 1999, last updated 19.10.05
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