Neurobehavioral Functioning in Asymptomatic HIV-1 Infected Women

Numerous reports have assessed the neuropsychological functioning of medically asymptomatic HIV-1 infected men. However, to date there have been no published studies of the neuropsychological functioning of asymptomatic HIV-1 infected women, even though women represent the fastest-growing demographic group of HIV-1 infected individuals. In this investigation, 31 women (17 asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive, 14 seronegative) were administered a battery of neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric instruments. Participants in both groups were matched for age, education, months since injection drug use, and substance use. Group comparisons revealed no significant differences in any of the neurocognitive or neuropsychiatric measures. The results of this preliminary study suggest that clinically significant differences in neurobehavioral function are unlikely in medically asymptomatic HIV-1 infected women compared to seronegative controls. However, additional studies are needed with larger sample sizes and with careful attention to possible confounding or masking variables.