[Influence of factors not related with HIV infection on neuropsychological performance of HIV-seropositive patients].
BACKGROUND
The presence of neuropsychological impairment related to HIV infection has generated abundant literature whose results are disparate. Keeping in mind that it has been suggested that neuropsychological impairment could be associated to the presence of certain factors that would coexist with the own HIV, it is necessary to determine factors which contribute to transform a seropositive into a subject more neuropsychologically vulnerable.


METHODS
In this work we present a revision of those factors related with HIV infection that can influence neuropsychological performance of the patients as the antecedents of neurological and psychiatric pathology, depressed mood, drugs abuse, and cognitive reserve.


CONCLUSIONS
The study of the influence of these factors can not only contribute to clarify the controversy on the presence of neuropsychological deficits, but also to understand why some seropositive patients are more neuropsychologically vulnerable than others, and ultimately to better understand the neuropsychological implications derived of HIV infection.
Vázquez-Justo
E
E
Departamento de Psicología Clínica y Psicobiología, Facultade de Psicoloxia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España.
Rodríguez-Alvarez
M
M
D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications