BCS242 Fall 2004

I. Outline to accompany classroom lecture

II. "Road Map" to Kelly article (assigned reading)

III. Contact information for Dr. Adams

I. Outline to accompany classroom lecture

This lecture focuses on the pattern of neuropsychological symptoms among individuals infected with HIV or who have AIDS. The lecture will present information on neuropsychological symptoms for adults with HIV and will also present information on pediatric HIV. The lecture will put less emphasis on adult HIV because this is also discussed in the assigned reading.

1. Review of Terms

HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS.

Asymptomatic: In general, describes the situation where a person is infected with HIV, but has little to no physical symptoms.

Symptomatic: Describes a situation where a person is infected with HIV, has some health problems/illnesses, but they do not yet meet diagnostic criteria for AIDS (see below)

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: This is a syndrome (note, a syndrome is a constellation of illnesses) of severe immune deficiency that is caused by HIV. AIDS is diagnosed when a person has one or more "AIDS-indicator conditions". These include certain types of cancer, pneumonia, and other illnesses and infections. AIDS can also be diagnosed when the number of ‘CD4’ cells (a type of cell used in the immune system) drops below a certain level.

seropositive: positive for the infection (e.g., has HIV)

seronegative: negative for the infection (e.g., does not have HIV)

2. History & Epidemiology of HIV

3. HIV / AIDS and Neuropsychological Functioning

HIV-Associated Minor Cognitive/Motor Disorder

HIV-Associated Dementia Complex

3. Neuropsychological Findings with HIV-positive samples (breakdown by domain)

Attention/Working Memory

Fine Motor

Reaction Time/Processing Speed

Visuospatial Organization

Executive Functions

Verbal Learning

Verbal Fluency

Language Functioning

Overall Intellectual Ability

4. Case Presentations

38-year old male

44-year old woman

5. Pattern of neuropsychological deficits associated with HIV-infection

6. Neuropathology of HIV infection

7. HIV-infection and Quality of Life

8. Pediatric HIV Infection

Epidemiology

Neuropathology

Confounding variables

9. Pediatric HIV, part II: Infants vs. school-age children infected with HIV

General cognitive development

Language development

Motor development

Social-emotional development

10. Final Comments on HIV/AIDS in today’s world

Dear Students,

This article is more straightforward than the Moleski article. I think you will do just fine getting through this article on your own. So, here are just a few pointers to get you started.

1. Introductory section (p. 403 to top of p. 404): Don’t get bogged down in the medicalese discussion of the disease. However, do make sure to extract the key neuropsych. points that are mentioned here.

2. Understand the linkages between neuropsychological pattern and neurological changes in HIV.

3. Make sure you review & understand Tables 17-2 (p. 406) and 17-3 (p. 407) that summarize the text discussion of the different types of HIV-associated cognitive disorders. In class we will focus on the distinction between two categories - HIV-associated dementia and HIV-associated minor cognitive/motor disorder. Note that there are four categories in the table and you should understand the differences among each one.

4. Make sure you carefully read & understand the methodology and the results of the HNRC study. This is a major focus of the chapter!

III. Contact Information for Dr. Adams

I can be reached at:

I will do my best to respond to your questions within 24 hours, but that turnaround time is not guaranteed (e.g., if I am out of the office, or on weekends, it will take me longer to reply).