Long-term zidovudine reduces neurocognitive deficits in HIV-1 infection
T Baldeweg, J Catalan, E Lovett, J Gruzelier, M Riccio… - AIDS, 1995 - journals.lww.com
T Baldeweg, J Catalan, E Lovett, J Gruzelier, M Riccio, D Hawkins
AIDS, 1995•journals.lww.comObjective: To determine the efficacy of zidovudine (ZDV) in preventing decline of
neurocognitive functions in HIV-1 infection. Design: Retrospective evaluation of subjects
enrolled in a natural history study. Two analyses were made to evaluate the effect of (1)
current ZDV, irrespective of length of treatment and (2) long-term ZDV treatment for at least 1
year. Setting: Subjects were recruited from HIV out-patient clinics. Patients: HIV-1-
seropositive subjects were assigned to one of three groups according to the Centers for …
neurocognitive functions in HIV-1 infection. Design: Retrospective evaluation of subjects
enrolled in a natural history study. Two analyses were made to evaluate the effect of (1)
current ZDV, irrespective of length of treatment and (2) long-term ZDV treatment for at least 1
year. Setting: Subjects were recruited from HIV out-patient clinics. Patients: HIV-1-
seropositive subjects were assigned to one of three groups according to the Centers for …
Abstract
Objective: To determine the efficacy of zidovudine (ZDV) in preventing decline of neurocognitive functions in HIV-1 infection.
Design: Retrospective evaluation of subjects enrolled in a natural history study. Two analyses were made to evaluate the effect of (1) current ZDV, irrespective of length of treatment and (2) long-term ZDV treatment for at least 1 year.
Setting: Subjects were recruited from HIV out-patient clinics.
Patients: HIV-1-seropositive subjects were assigned to one of three groups according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification: asymptomatic infection (n= 60), symptomatic infection but without AIDS (n= 51), and AIDS (n= 32).
Main outcome measures: Standardized neuropsychological and neurophysiological measures [electroencephalogram (EEG) and long-latency evoked potentials].
Results: Long-term ZDV use was associated with improved cognitive performance in subjects with early symptomatic HIV-1 infection and AIDS, compared to subjects in the same clinical stage but without previous ZDV treatment. This was corroborated by neurophysiological evidence of reduced slow-wave EEG amplitude in the ZDV-treated subjects. The advantage of ZDV treatment was evident despite lower immune status in most treated subjects.
Conclusions: The findings in this natural history study indicate that long-term ZDV treatment may be an effective prophylactic to reduce neurocognitive deficits in symptomatic HIV-1 infection, thereby lowering the risk for developing HIV-1-associated dementia.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins