Effects of HIV seropositivity and drug abuse on cognitive function.
Fifty-eight HIV-positive drug abusers and 22 HIV-positive nondrug abusers at stages II-III and IV of the Centers for Disease Control classification were evaluated neuropsychologically. The study confirmed previous findings that drug abuse has a negative influence on cognitive function. It also emerges that seropositivity affects cognitive function, although the poor performance of group II-III patients compared to group IV may be explained by factors related to seropositivity (anxiety and panic) rather than the disease itself. It is concluded that disease-related factors probably determine cognitive performance in the earlier stages of HIV infection.
Grassi
M P
MP
Department of Neurology, L. Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Perin
C
C
Clerici
F
F
Zocchetti
C
C
Borella
M
M
Cargnel
A
A
Mangoni
A
A
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology