CHANGES IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF AIDS-RELATED COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO PROGRESS TO AIDS

Objective: To investigate the changes in neuropsychological performance associated with progression from AIDS-related complex (ARC) to AIDS. Design: A repeated measures design was used to compare three groups: ARC patients who progressed to AIDS (n = 15), those who did not (n = 19) and seronegative controls (n = 16). Methods: The three groups were compared on tests of memory, information processing, motor performance, attention and conceptual flexibility. Clinical and immunological characteristics were recorded. Rates of neuropsychological impairment among the three groups were calculated and compared. Results: The only significant difference between the groups at baseline was for one measure of motor performance. Repeated measures analysis indicated that there was a differential rate of change for the three subject groups for tasks of motor performance and attention. ARC patients who progressed to AIDS did not differ significantly from the non-progressors, although both groups showed significant deterioration over time compared with seronegative controls. Although there was a tendency for the progressors to have a higher rate of impairment, there were no consistent significant differences between visits. Conclusion: There were no significant changes in performance exclusively associated with progression to AIDS.