The neuropsychological consequences of HIV infection in drug addicts.

The occurrence of neuropsychological impairment in asymptomatic, HIV-positive individuals is controversial. In the present study we compared the performance of three groups of chronic intravenous drug abusers (HIV negative, asymptomatic HIV positive, AIDS) on a battery of neuropsychological tests. While the AIDS group was significantly impaired, no difference was found between HIV negative and HIV positive asymptomatic subjects on any measure. This finding is in agreement with the results of studies of homosexual and bisexual subjects, indicating that the presence of HIV infection in the asymptomatic stage does not carry an added risk of cognitive impairment in drug addicts.