HIV-SPECIFIC CHANGES IN THE MOTOR-PERFORMANCE OF HIV-POSITIVE INTRAVENOUS DRUG-ABUSERS

Motor tests comprising the analysis of postural tremor, most rapid vol untary alternating index finger movements (MRAM) and the rise time of most rapid index finger extensions (CT) allow us to quantify HIV-assoc iated minor motor deficits electrophysiologically. The electrophysiolo gical results in 57 HIV-positive individuals who acquired HIV infectio n by intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) were compared with those of 57 matc hed HIV-positive homosexuals and 98 HIV-negative controls to evaluate a possible additional influence of IVDA on motor performance. Motor de ficits showed no differences between HIV-positive IV drug abusers and homosexuals, revealing a highly significant slowing of MRAM and prolon gation of CT to an almost identical extent. Thus, in HIV-infected indi viduals minor motor deficits are characteristic early signs of subclin ical central nervous system involvement regardless of the mode of HIV infection.