Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
09:25
The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse
Published on: May 31, 2016
Modafinil effects on cognitive function in HIV+ patients treated for fatigue: a placebo controlled study
Martin McElhiney1, Judith Rabkin, Wilfred Van Gorp
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. mcelhin@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Modafinil effectively treated fatigue in people with HIV/AIDS. Cognitive performance also improved in the modafinil group compared to placebo, though not in specific domains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment and fatigue are prevalent in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
- These symptoms significantly impact quality of life and daily functioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of modafinil in treating fatigue in HIV-positive patients.
- To assess the impact of modafinil on cognitive performance in this population.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.
- Involved 59 patients receiving modafinil and 44 receiving placebo.
- Neuropsychological tests were administered at baseline and Week 4.
Main Results:
- Modafinil demonstrated a significant positive effect on fatigue levels.
- Global cognitive performance showed greater improvement in the modafinil group versus placebo.
- No specific cognitive domain showed a statistically significant improvement.
Conclusions:
- Modafinil is an effective treatment for fatigue in people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Modafinil may offer broader cognitive benefits beyond fatigue management in this cohort.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:08Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...