       Document 0256
 DOCN  M9610256
 TI    [Neuropsychiatric performance of HIV-infected patients]
 DT    9601
 AU    Thomas W; Krahforst MC; Kohle K; Institut und Poliklinik fur
       Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie der; Universitat zu Koln.
 SO    Med Klin. 1995 Aug 15;90(8):443-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96054166
 AB    AIM: Can neuropsychic impairment which is clinically observed in the
       case of HIV-infected patients be objectivized, and what is the
       relationship to somatic features caused by the disease? PATIENTS AND
       METHOD: 65 HIV-infected men with no history of drug-addiction were
       examined by means of a test battery which monitored the functions
       memory/concentration and speed of response. The probands were then
       compared to a healthy control group which was parallelized with respect
       to age, sex and education. Immune status, HIV and AIDS associated
       symptoms as well as educational diseases were checked for their
       connection with neuropsychic impairment. RESULTS: Compared to healthy
       persons HIV patients presented significant deficits with respect to
       memory and concentration but showed no reduction of speed of response.
       Significant correlation could be determined with only one somatic
       feature: Half of the patients who had lost more than 10% of their body
       weight during the preceding three months suffered from clinically
       relevant memory and concentration disorders. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The massive
       memory and concentration disorders impair and isolate the patients and
       can have considerable job-related consequences. 2. Measures preventing
       loss of weight should be initiated as early as possible. 3. Training
       sessions, e.g. nutritional consultation, must take the patients'
       deficits with respect to concentration and memory into consideration. 4.
       Possible connections between loss of weight and changes in brain
       metabolism should be examined. 5. Future studies should determine
       whether measures weight increase coincide with an improvement of memory
       and concentration.
 DE    Adult  Amnesia/DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY  Attention  AIDS Dementia
       Complex/*DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY  Body Weight  Cognition
       Disorders/*DIAGNOSIS/PSYCHOLOGY  English Abstract  Homosexuality,
       Male/PSYCHOLOGY  Human  Male  Middle Age  *Neuropsychological Tests
       Reaction Time  Recall  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

