Neuropsychological findings and psychiatric symptoms in HIV-1 infected and noninfected drug users.
Reports available on the extent and incidence of cognitive deficits in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) patients are variable. To assess the influence of drug abuse and psychiatric symptoms on the extent of the cognitive deficit, we examined 42 drug-addicted HIV-1 patients and compared them with a group of seronegative drug addicts (n = 31) as well as with a group of healthy controls (n = 50), using a psychometric test battery and standardized psychiatric scales. We found no significant difference in the extent and incidence of cognitive deficits in the group of HIV-1 patients as compared with the seronegative drug addicts. Both groups, however, differed from the normal population group. Remarkable depressive symptoms were found in the HIV-1 infected patient group. We assume that long-term drug abuse contributes markedly to the cognitive deficit of HIV-1 patients, which is further influenced by depressive symptoms.
Pakesch
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Austria.
Loimer
N
N
Grünberger
J
J
Pfersmann
D
D
Linzmayer
L
L
Mayerhofer
S
S
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology