title: Neuropsychological evaluation and follow up in jcv- and non-jcv-related leukoencephalopathies in HIV infection.
abstract: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy does not seem to have altered the incidence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in HIV infection. Moreover, the occurrence of a HIV-related leukoencephalopathy, called not determined leukoencephalopaties (NDLE), has been reported. As neuropsychological impairment remains highly prevalent in HIV infection, the aim of this study is to describe the neuropsychological profile of PML and NDLE patients, analyzing the time-related changes. Clinical and neuropsychological data from 32 patients (17 PML, 15 NDLE) were compared with two control groups: (1) asymptomatic HIV+ patients without magnetic resonance imaging evidence of leukoencephalopathy; (2) age-/gender-/education-matched healthy subjects. Patients with rapidly worsening PML were significantly impaired on all neuropsychological tests, while PML with more benign course and NDLE groups showed a dysexecutive pattern of impairment. Asymptomatic HIV+ subjects showed mild and isolated cognitive deficits, without functional impact. Cognitive impairment should therefore be considered a key feature from HIV infection diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS National Neurological Institute C Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. chiara.zucchella@gmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zucchella
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sinforiani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tavazzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Bue
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maserati
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ceroni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastianello
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minoli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchioni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007577:JC Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007968:Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests