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Cognition in early human immunodeficiency virus infection
F L Wilkie1, C Eisdorfer, R Morgan
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami, School of Medicine, FL 33136.
Archives of Neurology
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause cognitive inefficiency. This study found HIV-positive individuals showed slower information processing and memory deficits compared to HIV-negative controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive changes in early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are not well understood.
- HIV can affect the central nervous system even in asymptomatic individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive functioning in early-stage HIV infection.
- To compare cognitive performance between HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men.
Main Methods:
- A cognitive battery assessing language, memory, visuospatial skills, processing speed, reasoning, attention, and psychomotor function was administered.
- 46 asymptomatic HIV-positive gay men (T4 counts < 700) were compared to 13 HIV-negative gay men matched for age and education.
Main Results:
- The HIV-positive group demonstrated significantly slower information processing speeds.
- HIV-positive individuals performed significantly worse on specific verbal memory tasks.
- A notable percentage of HIV-positive subjects (43% and 22%) showed significant cognitive deviations (1-2 SDs) from the norm, compared to only 8% of controls.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive inefficiency is present in a subset of individuals during the early stages of HIV infection.
- These findings highlight the potential neurological impact of HIV even before the onset of AIDS-defining conditions.