SLICE Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Efficacy of Switch to Lopinavir/r in Improving Cognitive function in Efavirenz treated patients

• IRAS ID

  93530

• Contact name

  Ashley Price

• Eudract number

  2011-005581-37

• ISRCTN Number

  N/A

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A

• Research summary

  Efavirenz (EFV) is currently one of the most commonly used anti-retroviral drugs. It is well recognised that cognitive side-effects are common in the first 4-6 weeks of EFV therapy and it is thought that these effects disappear entirely after treatment, however recent data suggests that EFV may have long-term detrimental effects in brain function. Recent research studies have suggested that many HIV-infected patients experience mild problems with ??cognitive function??. This means that there may be slight slowing of brain processes and this may lead to problems with memory or concentration. These problems tend to be mild, but may potentially have an impact on daily life. We currently do not know why these problems occur or what we may be able to do to improve them. In particular we do not know what role anti-retroviral medications have in brain function and whether certain anti-retroviral drugs may lead to a greater tendency to develop problems or may be better than others at preventing the problems. We are investigating whether a commonly used anti-retroviral medication (Efavirenz) has an adverse effect on brain function and whether this can be improved by a switch to another drug (Kaletra ©).

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  12/NE/0071

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Jun 2012

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion