title: Effect of aging and human immunodeficiency virus infection on cognitive abilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the combined effects of aging and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on cognitive decay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, single-cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institute of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-three asymptomatic HIV-positive (HIV+) outpatients (20% aged ≥ 60) and an age- and education-matched control population of 39 HIV-negative individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A neuropsychological investigation was conducted to compare four groups of participants classified on the basis of HIV serostatus and age (<60 vs ≥ 60). The effects of age and HIV infection on neuropsychological performance were analyzed using a two-by-two factorial analysis of variance. Demographic and clinical variables associated with neuropsychological performance were identified using linear regression analysis in the HIV+ population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HIV infection and aging had significant negative effects on cognitive performance, but no significant interaction was observed between these two factors. Although older HIV+ participants had worse cognitive performance, they showed no distinct cognitive pattern from younger HIV+ participants. Moreover, younger HIV+ participants' performance on memory tasks was qualitatively and quantitatively comparable with that of older HIV- participants, despite the dramatic age difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aging and HIV might be additive factors in the expression of cognitive decline. As the HIV+ population ages, routine neuropsychological examinations could help clinicians better understand and manage the expression of cognitive impairment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. nicoletta.ciccarelli@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ciccarelli
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabbiani
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldonero
authors.forename: Iuri
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fanti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cauda
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Giambenedetto
authors.forename: Maria Caterina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Silveri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged