SUBJECTIVE COMPLAINTS VERSUS ACTUAL COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN PREDOMINANTLY SYMPTOMATIC HIV-1 SEROPOSITIVE INDIVIDUALS

The relationship of self-reported cognitive, motor, and affective comp laints to actual neuropsychological functioning was explored in a coho rt of predominantly symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals. Ninety -two symptomatic HIV-1 infected subjects were questioned about complai nts common in HIV infection and were assessed with a comprehensive neu ropsychological test battery. No relationship was found between subjec tive complaints and cognitive functioning, yet a significant relations hip was found between self-reported difficulties and formal measures o f affect and mood. Failure to show a relationship between self-reporte d cognitive status and actual neuropsychological functioning in this c ohort suggests that complaints of cognitive decline may be attributabl e to emotional factors.