The impact of human immunodeficiency virus on cognitive function.

It is now recognized that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can directly impact on cognitive function, particularly in patients with AIDS. Whether HIV affects neuropsychologic performance in otherwise asymptomatic seropositive individuals is controversial, and several large studies have not detected performance changes in the asymptomatic patient. However, our work and the work of several other groups suggest that the influence of HIV on cognition may be detected even at this early stage.