Depression does not influence basal ganglia-mediated psychomotor speed in HIV-1 infection

The authors examined the effects of depressive mood (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [Ham-D]) on basal ganglia-mediated psychomotor speed (motor test battery) in 202 HIV-1 seropositive homosexual males with no prior hist ory of antiretroviral treatment. HIV-1 seropositive patients showed a signi ficant slowing of most vapid alternating movements (MRAM) and significantly prolonged contraction times (CT) compared with 66 HIV-1 seronegative male control subjects. Factor analysis of Ham-D scores isolated a factor contain ing the items depressed mead, suicide, and psychic and somatic anxiety. Thi s factor did not correlate with MRAM or CT. Depression and psychomotor spee d ave independent in HIV-1 infection.