[Neurocognitive impairment related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in socially-excluded former intravenous drug abusers].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze differences in neuropsychological test results of former intravenous drug abusers, who were divided into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of HIV-1 infection.


METHODS
Higher-level cognitive functions were assessed with neuropsychological tests in 40 former drug abusers (20 with and 20 without HIV-1 infection).


RESULTS
As compared to individuals without infection, patients with HIV-1 infection showed significantly poorer performance in areas related to attention, learning, working memory, verbal fluency, information processing, problem solving, and flexibility.


CONCLUSIONS
Independently of the effect of drug addiction, HIV infection was associated with cognitive alterations in all the areas examined.
Vergara-Moragues
Esperanza
E
Fundación para la Atención e Incorporación Social, Junta de Andalucía, España. esvermor@yahoo.es
de Campos
Antonio Vergara
AV
Girón-González
José Antonio
JA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012934:Social Isolation; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications