Spatial working memory in asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects

Many clinical and research findings converge to indicate that frontal lobe, basal ganglia, and related neuronal connections are primarily involved in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; frontal lobe, mainly the pref rontal cortex, has a specialized role in working memory processes. This stu dy focused on neuropsychological evaluation of the spatial component of wor king memory in a sample of 34 asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects as compare d with 34 age- and sex-matched seronegative control subjects. A computer-ad ministered test assessing spatial working memory was used for the neuropsyc hological evaluation. The findings did not show any spatial working memory impairment during the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection.