The relationship between duration of illness and neuropsychological
performance was examined in 25 asymptomatic HIV-infected men with an
estimated date of seroconversion. Mean duration of illness was
approximately 2 years. After controlling for CD4 level at the time of
neuropsychological examination, duration of illness was correlated with
measures of visual attention, mental flexibility, dexterity, auditory
information processing, and response fluency, as well as an overall measure
of neuropsychological performance. Although these patients performed within
normal limits, these data suggest that duration of infection may be related
to subtle alterations in neuropsychological performance. These results are
discussed with regard to possible mechanisms that implicate gradual
accumulation of neurotoxins.
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