J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1991; 3:286-298
Copyright © 1991 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Longitudinal evaluation of neuropsychological function in homosexual men with HIV infection: 18-month follow-up
AJ Saykin, RS Janssen, GC Sprehn, JE Kaplan, TJ Spira and B O'Connor
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Subjects were 21 men with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL, n =
13) or AIDS-related complex (ARC, n = 8), who were not receiving
anti-retroviral medication, and 21 controls. At baseline, mild cognitive
impairment was detected in language, memory, attention, and visual and
auditory processing, primarily in patients with ARC. On follow-up, the ARC
group showed continued impairment and abnormalities on new measures of
distractibility and activities of daily living. Although mild decline in
verbal memory was noted for some patients, overall neuropsychological
profiles did not show deterioration. Nomenclature for the pattern of mild,
stable neuropsychological changes in patients with cognitive symptoms is
discussed. Two interdisciplinary panels have recommended the term
HIV-1-associated minor cognitive/motor disorder. Unlike the term AIDS
dementia, it does not imply progression or a diagnosis of AIDS.
