Early research by scientists in the U.S. suggests that valproic acid could be a potential way to eradicate dormant HIV infections.
A team at the University of North Carolina has shown that valproic acid, which is used to treat bipolar disorder, can also prevent HIV persisting in its latent phase.
The team say that the findings could boost HIV treatment and be a step towards preventing HIV from being a chronic disease.
But some experts are cautious and say much more research into the drug’s effects was needed, and warn about being over-optimistic about the eventual introduction of this approach in HIV treatment.