Brief Report: Frailty and HIV Disease Severity Synergistically Increase Risk of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

AbstractThe ability to accurately perceive the passage of time relies on several neurocognitive abilities, including attention, memory, and executive functions, which are domains commonly affected in persons living with HIV disease. The current study examined time estimation and production and their neurocognitive correlates in a sample of 53 HIV+ individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), 120 HIV+ individuals without HAND, and 113 HIV− individuals. Results revealed a moderate main effect of HAND on time estimation and a trend-level effect on time production, but no interaction between HAND and time interval duration. Correlational analyses revealed that time estimation in the HIV+ group was associated with attention, episodic memory and time-based prospective memory. Findings indicate that individuals with HAND evidence deficits in time interval judgment suggestive of failures in basic attentional and memory processes. (JINS, 2015, 21, 175–181)

Download Full-text

Evidence for Neuropsychological Health Disparities in Black Americans with HIV Disease

10.31234/osf.io/9ekcq ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer L. Thompson ◽

Ilex Beltran-Najera ◽

Briana Johnson ◽

Yenifer Morales ◽

Steven Paul Woods

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Daily Living ◽

Black Americans ◽

Neurocognitive Disorders ◽

Hiv Disease ◽

Large Effect Size ◽

Everyday Functioning ◽

Neurocognitive Impairments ◽

Z Scores ◽

Hiv Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

Objective: Black Americans are at high risk for HIV disease and associated morbidity. However, we know little about the neuropsychological impact and correlates of HIV disease among Black Americans. Methods: Participants included 40 Black persons with HIV (PWH), 83 White PWH, 28 Black HIV- and 64 White HIV- individuals. Neurocognition was measured with raw, sample-based z-scores from a clinical battery. Everyday functioning was assessed using self- and clinician-rated measures of cognitive symptoms and activities of daily living. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders were classified using the Frascati criteria. Results: We observed a significant three-way interaction between HIV, race, and domain on neurocognitive z-scores. This omnibus effect was driven by large effect size decrements in semantic memory and processing speed in Black PWH compared to the other groups. Black PWH participants also demonstrated higher frequencies of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders as compared to White PWH. Unexpectedly, global neurocognition was negatively related to everyday functioning for White PWH, but not for Black PWH. Conclusions: Systemic disadvantages for Black Americans may combine with HIV disease to compound some neurocognitive impairments in this vulnerable population. Prospective studies are needed to identify better ways to prevent and manage HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders among Black Americans.

Download Full-text