Studies of neuropsychological performance early in the course of human
immunodeficiency virus-type 1, infection are reviewed. The studies differed
on reporting the presence and severity of neuropsychological changes, and
comparisons among studies are hampered by variations in the study
populations, sample sizes, assessment methods, approaches to data analysis,
and definitions of thresholds for abnormality. Recommendations that would
facilitate comparisons among future studies include using markers for
disease state, applying longitudinal designs, using common instruments for
assessing neuropsychological status, selecting appropriate controls,
controlling for co-factors, reporting raw scores as well as presumed
indices of impairment, and relating impairment on neuropsychological tests
to affected individuals' daily activities, if possible.Abstract Teaser