Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Abstract
Title: Neuropsychological decline and neurocognitive diagnostic stability in HIV-infected individuals.
Authors: Marcotte TD, Heaton RK, Ellis RJ, McCutchan JA, Atkinson JH, Grant I, and the HNRC Group
Year: 1998
Publication: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society
Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Pages: 33
Abstract:Although the prevalence of HIV-related neuropsychological (NP) impairment has been well documented, data regarding NP change over time has been limited. Nine hundred seventy-two subjects underwent a baseline NP evaluation and were assigned a neurocognitive diagnosis by a multidisciplinary team. The diagnostic classifications consisted of NP normal, subsyndromic NP impairment (NP impairment but no deficits in everyday functioning), Minor cognitive motor disorder, and dementia. At each successive year of follow-up during a 3-year period, AIDS subjects had the highest rate of NP worsening, followed by HIV-positive non-AIDS subjects and HIV-negative subjects, respectively. Most subjects received a similar diagnosis after 2 years of follow-up; however, there was significant movement between diagnostic classifications. The disease thus appears to be characterized by a pattern of general decline with periods of remission in cognitive symptomatology.

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