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.