Abstract
HIV-seropositive individuals with low cognitive reserve are at high risk for developing HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
(HAND). The present study evaluated the hypothesis that cognitive reserve would also play a unique role in the expression
of everyday functioning complications among those with HAND (i.e., syndromic versus subsyndromic impairment). Eighty-six individuals
with HIV infection were evaluated; 53 individuals evidenced normal neurocognitive performance, 16 had subsyndromic HAND (i.e.,
asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment), and 17 were diagnosed with syndromic HAND based on a comprehensive neurobehavioral
evaluation. Cognitive reserve represented a combined score including years of education, estimated verbal IQ, and highest
occupational attainment. The groups were comparable (e.g. demographics), and the HAND groups had similar rates of global neurocognitive
impairment. The syndromic HAND group evidenced lower reserve scores relative to both other groups, suggesting that individuals
with lower reserve may be less able to effectively counteract their neurocognitive impairment to maintain independence in
daily living activities than HIV-infected individuals with high cognitive reserve.
(HAND). The present study evaluated the hypothesis that cognitive reserve would also play a unique role in the expression
of everyday functioning complications among those with HAND (i.e., syndromic versus subsyndromic impairment). Eighty-six individuals
with HIV infection were evaluated; 53 individuals evidenced normal neurocognitive performance, 16 had subsyndromic HAND (i.e.,
asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment), and 17 were diagnosed with syndromic HAND based on a comprehensive neurobehavioral
evaluation. Cognitive reserve represented a combined score including years of education, estimated verbal IQ, and highest
occupational attainment. The groups were comparable (e.g. demographics), and the HAND groups had similar rates of global neurocognitive
impairment. The syndromic HAND group evidenced lower reserve scores relative to both other groups, suggesting that individuals
with lower reserve may be less able to effectively counteract their neurocognitive impairment to maintain independence in
daily living activities than HIV-infected individuals with high cognitive reserve.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0229-7
- Authors
- Erin E. Morgan, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Steven Paul Woods, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Christine Smith, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Erica Weber, SDSD/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program, San Diego, CA, USA
- J. Cobb Scott, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Igor Grant, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson St., Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165