ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Background: The effect of anti-retroviral medications on the cognitive functions important in flying has not been determined. Hypothesis: An tiretroviral medications have no effect on the cognitive performance o f individuals at the CDC 4C2 (symptomatic HIV disease with no illness indicative of full-blown AIDS) stage of infection. Methods: A two-grou p study using a cross-sectional design was used. The participants in e ach group represented a sample of convenience obtained from a larger, naturalistic study. Each group consisted of 10 HIV+ males at the CDC 4 C2 stage of infection. The two groups were round to be comparable on a ge, education, pre-morbid intelligence, and ethnicity. All members of the anti-retroviral medication group had been receiving medications fo r at least 3 mo. Those in the control group (no anti-retroviral medica tion) had received no anti-retroviral medications for at least 6 mo. C ognitive functioning was assessed using a computerized information pro cessing battery that included tests similar to those under considerati on for inclusion in military pilot selection batteries and a neuropsyc hological battery. As part of the larger study, the participants were carefully and repetitively screened on factors known to affect perform ance on neuropsychological instruments. Results: The groups showed lit tle difference in cognitive functioning. Conclusion: Although more res earch is needed, anti-retroviral medication does not impair, and may i mprove, the cognitive processes of individuals with symptomatic HIV in fection who do not have AIDS.