title: Cognitive impairment and antiretroviral treatment in a Peruvian population of patients with human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV-associated cognitive impairment occurs even in the early stages of infection. Short-term memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive functioning are the main capacities affected. Controversy exists regarding whether highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is helpful in combating this process. The objective of the present study is to determine the association between cognitive impairment and HAART in HIV-infected patients from Hospital Regional de Huacho.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study of HIV patients meeting criteria to start HAART. Twenty-one HIV-positive patients were recruited between April and July 2011. Researchers administered a standardised neuropsychological test battery before and 4 weeks after onset of HAART. Psychomotor speed, executive function, short term memory (visual and verbal), attention, and visuospatial performance were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients completed the study (14 males and 5 females). In the pre-HAART evaluation, most patients scored below average on the executive function and psychomotor speed subtests. Psychomotor speed and immediate visual memory improved significantly after four months of treatment with HAART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some degree of cognitive decline may present even in the early and asymptomatic stages of HIV infection. The benefits of antiretroviral treatment for cognitive performance can be detected after only a few weeks of follow-up.
authors: Departamento de Medicina. Hospital Regional de Huacho, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Electronic address: erikguevara@hotmail.com.
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Guevara-Silva
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010568:Peru; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive impairment; Cognitive profile; Deterioro cognitivo; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; Human immunodeficiency virus; Neuropsychological test; Perfil cognitivo; Terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad; Test neuropsicológico; Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana