Delayed motor learning and psychomotor slowing in HIV-infected children.
OBJECTIVE
To find out whether HIV-associated subclinical psychomotor slowing is present in HIV-infected children despite effective highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).


METHODS
An electrophysiological motor test battery shown to sensitively describe HIV-associated CNS disease in adults (tremor peak frequency []TPF], most rapid alternating movements [MRAM], reaction time [RT] and contraction time [CT]) was performed in 17 HIV seropositive (+) right-handed children. Results were compared to 16 HIV seronegative (-) children.


RESULTS
HIV (-) children showed slower frequencies (TPF, MRAM) and longer RT and CT than (-) adults. They showed a significant correlation (p = 0.0263) between RT (right = dominant hand) and age. HIV (+) children showed significant prolongations of RT (right hand) and CT (both hands) compared to HIV (-) children. RT right hand did not accelerate with age in HIV (+) children. CT were significantly prolonged in 10 children with detectable HIV plasma viral burden and normal in 7 children with no detectable HIV plasma viral load. There was no correlation between CT and CD 4 cell counts.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite effective HAART, electrophysiological motor testing in HIV (+) children reveals significant subclinical CNS dysfunction, especially in children with insufficient viral load suppression.
von Giesen
H J
HJ
Department of Neurology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany. giesenhj@uni-duesseldorf.de
Niehues
T
T
Reumel
J
J
Haslinger
B A
BA
Ndagijimana
J
J
Arendt
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019562:Viral Load