Neurocognitive function in HIV-infected patients with low weight and weight loss.
OBJECTIVE
To determine neurocognitive function in HIV-infected subjects with low weight and weight loss.


METHODS
Cross-sectional cohort.


METHODS
Baseline data from male and female participants in longitudinal treatment studies of AIDS wasting were analyzed. Fifty-seven HIV-infected women (age: 38 +/- 5 years, education level: 12.3 +/- 2.3 years) and 24 HIV-infected men (age: 37 +/- 5 years, education level: 13.5 +/- 2.9 years) with weight <90% IBW or loss of >10% of preillness weight maximum underwent standardized neurocognitive testing to measure intellectual functioning, attention, memory, and fine motor dexterity. The z scores were determined using age- and gender-specific normative data.


RESULTS
Among women, IQ (87 +/- 13, z score: -0.8 +/- 0.8 SD) and executive functioning scores (-0.7 +/- 1.2 SD) were below average but within normal limits. In contrast, performance (z scores) on measures of verbal learning (-2.5 +/- 1.5 SD), visuospatial abilities (-2.5 +/- 2.0 SD), and motor coordination (-2.3 +/- 3.3 SD) fell significantly below normal limits. Among men, IQ score was 96 +/- 13 SD (z score: -0.3 +/- 0.8 SD). Performance was below average on measures of verbal learning (-1.0 +/- 1.7 SD) and visual construction (-1.6 +/- 1.7 SD) but within normal limits on executive functioning (-0.1 +/- 1.0 SD).


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-infected women at low weight demonstrate significantly reduced verbal learning, memory, and motor function, whereas HIV-infected men at low weight demonstrate more moderate impairment in verbal learning and other measures of neurocognitive function.
Dolan
Sara
S
Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
Montagno
Andrea
A
Wilkie
Stephanie
S
Aliabadi
Negar
N
Sullivan
Meghan
M
Zahka
Nicole
N
Sherman
Janet Cohen
JC
Grinspoon
Steven
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001835:Body Weight; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D015431:Weight Loss
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones