Early psychomotor slowing predicts the development of HIV dementia and autopsy-verified HIV encephalitis

Authors: Dunlop O.¹; Bjørklund R.²; Bruun J.N.¹; Evensen R.¹; Goplen A.K.³; Liestøl K.⁴; Sannes M.¹; Mæhlen J.³; Myrvang B.¹

Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Volume 105, Number 4, April 2002 , pp. 270-275(6)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Objectives– To ask if slowed motor speed predicts later human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia and HIV encephalitis. Methods– In 100 deceased acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients prior results from repeated testing of the movement reaction time test were correlated with later clinical signs of HIV dementia and with neuropathological signs of HIV encephalitis. Autopsy was performed in 72 patients. Results– Movement reaction time 1–2 years prior to death, or at the time of clinical AIDS diagnosis predicted both development of HIV dementia (P < 0.05) and HIV encephalitis at autopsy (P < 0.01). Conclusion– Testing for early psychomotor slowing may be used to identify patients at risk of HIV dementia and HIV encephalitis.

Keywords: HIV; AIDS; dementia; reaction time; neuropsychological tests; autopsy; neuropathology

Language: English

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: The Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, 2: National Institute of Occupational Health, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, 3: The Department of Pathology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, 4: The Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway *

Publication date: 2002-04-01