Neuropsychological performance in HIV-1 immunocompromised patients: a preliminary report

This study examined the pattern of neuropsychologic abnormalities in three groups of subjects: 20 patients diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); 14 patients diagnosed with AIDS Related Complex (ARC); and 13 seronegative controls. Subjects with past history of chronic substance abuse, neurologic disease, or focal findings on MRI or CT were excluded. All subjects were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Results revealed a pattern of preserved attention and concentration, language skills, and most visuospatial construction abilities in the presence of more notable deficits in nonverbal memory and speeded psychomotor tasks. Practical implications for the early detection of HIV-1 related cognitive dysfunction are addressed.