Computerized and traditional stroop task dysfunction in HIV-1 infection.

Controlled processing, response inhibition, and set adoption were examined in 51 HIV-1 infected participants and 21 uninfected controls who were administered a vocal reaction time (RT) version of the Stroop task (Stroop-RT; J. R. Stroop, 1935) as well as the traditional 100 item paper-and-pencil version. Response set expectancies on the Stroop-RT were manipulated by presenting 50% of trials in homogenous blocks and randomly varying the stimulus type during the remaining trials. As hypothesized, HIV seropositive (HIV+) participants were significantly slower than HIV seronegative controls on both versions of the Stroop. Significant interference effects were apparent on the paper-and-pencil version of the Stroop, but were not as prominent on the Stroop-RT. The HIV+ participants did profit from the blocking manipulation on the Stroop-RT, suggesting that set adoption is retained in HIV infection. These data suggest that HIV infection may result in deficient response inhibition, possibly secondary to frontostriatal dysfunction and dopaminergic alterations.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes