| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Abstract | | Title: Effects of methamphetamine dependence and HIV disease stage on neuropsychological performance. | | Authors: Carey C, Rippeth J, Heaton RK, Gonzalez R, Moore DJ, Gongvatana A, Marquie Beck J, Grant I, and the HNRC Group | | Year: 2003 | | Publication: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society | | Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Pages: 163 | | Abstract:Preliminary evidence suggests that methamphetamine (METH) dependence may have an additive effect on the neuropsychological (NP) deficits associated with HIV infection. This study examined the effects of HIV disease stage (AIDS, nonAIDS) and METH dependence on NP performance in a sample of HIV-infected individuals (n = 147). Four groups matched on demographics were compared: (1) METH+/AIDS (n = 36); (2) METH+/nonAIDS (n = 34); (3) METH-/AIDS (n = 35); (4) METH-/nonAIDS (n = 42). The METH+ groups met DSM-IV criteria for methamphetamine dependence but were at least 10 days abstinent at time of NP testing. The 2 METH+ groups did not differ significantly in self-reported METH use. All 4 groups were similar in the percentage of individuals on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. A comprehensive NP battery was administered and demographically corrected T scores were used to derive a summary global deficit score (GDS). A cut point ensuring 85% specificity was determined within a separate but demographically comparable METH-/HIV- control group (n = 58), and was used to classify participants as NP-impaired or NP-normal. Chi-square analysis indicated a significant difference in the rates of NP impairment across the 4 groups [x2 (3, N = 147) = 11.5, p < .005]. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that all 3 risk factor groups (METH+/AIDS, METH+/nonAIDS, and METH-/AIDS) had significantly higher rates of NP impairment (64%, 44%, and 46% respectively) than the METH-/nonAIDS group (26%) ( ps < .05). Results suggest that in HIV infected subjects, the NP deficits associated with methamphetamine dependence may be more deleterious in those who have AIDS. |
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