Publication Abstract Display
Type: Poster
Title: Shallow encoding and forgetting are associated with dependence in instrumental activities of daily living among older adults living with HIV infection.
Authors: Fazeli P, Doyle K, Scott JC, Iudicello J, Blackstone K, Weber E, Moore DJ, Morgan EE, Grant I, Woods SP, and the HNRP Group
Date: 02-12-2014
Abstract:Objective: Aging and HIV infection are both unique and independent risk factors for verbal memory deficits and declines in real-world functioning. However, we know little about the specific profile of memory deficits that drives declines in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) across the lifespan in HIV. Method: The current study examined this question in 145 younger (<50 years) and 119 older (≥ 50 years) adults with HIV who completed the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition (CVLT-II), the Logical Memory (LM) subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale – Third Edition (WMS-III), and a modified Lawton and Brody ADL questionnaire. Results: No significant memory predictors of IADL dependence were observed in the younger cohort, whereas in the older group, IADL dependence was uniquely associated with worse performance on CVLT-II trial 1, total trials 1-5, short and long delayed free recall, savings, and recognition discrimination, as well as elevated recency effects (ps<.05). Poorer immediate and delayed recall of the WMS-III LM was also associated with IADL declines in the older HIV+ adults (ps<.05), although yes/no recognition was intact (p>.10). Conclusions: Older HIV-infected adults with shallow encoding and forgetting are at particular risk for declines in IADLs. It is possible that the relative fragility of older HIV+ adults’ daily lives is more vulnerable to even subtle memory deficits, especially if proper compensatory strategies are not in place. Future research might evaluate whether strategies to deepen encoding and enhance retention may help to improve real-world outcomes in this vulnerable population.

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