NEUROPSYCHIC IMPAIRMENT OF HIV-INFECTED P ATIENTS

Aim: Can neuropsychic impairment which is clinically observed in the c ase of HIV-infected patients be objectivized, and what is the relation ship to somatic features caused by the disease? Patients and Method: 6 5 HIV-infected men with no history of drug-addiction were examined by means of a test battery which minitored the functions memory/concentra tion and spead of response. The probands were then compared to a healt hy control group which was parallelized with respect to age, sex and e ducation. Immune status, HIV and AIDS associated symptoms as well as e ducational diseases were checked for their connection with neuropsychi c impairment. Results: Compared to healthy persons HIV patients presen ted significant deficits with respect to memory and concentration but showed no reduction of speed of response. Significant correlation coul d be determined with only one somatic feature: Half of the patients wh o had lost more than 10% of their body weight during the preceding thr ee months suffered from clinically relevant memory and concentration d isorders. Conclusions: 1. The massive memory and concentration disorde rs impair and isolate the patients and can have considerable job-relat ed consequences. 2. Measures preventing loss of weight should be initi ated as early as possible. 3. Training sessions, e. g. nutritional con sultation, must take the patients' deficits with respect to concentrat ion and memory into consideration. 4. Possible connections between los s of weight and changes in brain metabolism should be examined. 5. Fut ure studies should determine whether measures weight increase coincide with an improvement of memory and concentration.