Long‐latency event‐related potentials in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

Abstract

As part of the Medical Research Council prospective study of the neurological and neuropsychological complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, long-latency event-related potentials were recorded in a cohort of homosexual and bisexual men. The latencies and amplitudes of the potentials, recorded from three scalp sites, were compared with the scores from neuropsychological tests of memory, attention, and concentration and with markers of immune function. The findings from 94 men were analyzed in the cross-sectional study of whom 47 were HIV seropositive without symptoms or signs of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection, 24 had progressed to the symptomatic stages of the disease, and 23 were persistently HIV seronegative. There were no consistently significant differences between the three subject groups in mean latencies and amplitudes of the P300 and N200 or in the numbers of abnormal P300 latencies. There were no significant correlations between either the neuropsychological tests scores or the immune measures (CD4 lymphocyte count and beta 2 microglobulin level) and the neurophysiological parameters. On repeated testing an average of 2 years later, there was no evidence of a significant trend towards deterioration in 30 HIV-seropositive subjects who remained asymptomatic compared with 22 HIV seronegatives. These findings indicate that there is no neurophysiological evidence of cognitive dysfunction in the asymptomatic stages of HIV-1 infection.

Evidence of CNS impairment in HIV infection: clinical, neuropsychological, EEG, and MRI/MRS study

“…Others have similarly shown no consistent EEG changes in asymptomatic HIV infection13 At a later stage EEG slowing does parallel neurological deterioration 12. We have previously reported the results of somatosensory42 and long latency event related evoked potentials in this cohort recorded at earlier attendances 43. These too showed no definite differences in amplitudes or latencies between those who were seronegative, seropositive, but asymptomatic, and those with early stages of AIDS defined by clinical criteria.…”

The nervous system in early HIV infection: a prospective study through 7 years

“…This is in contrast to several earlier studies on HIV patients [27–29] in which P300 latency or amplitude changes had been described. In one study, no P 300 alterations were reported [30]. The lack of P 300 changes in our HIV patients might be explained by the fact that they did not have severe immunosuppression.…”

Event-Related Potentials Index Subclinical Neurological Differences in HIV Patients During Rapid Decision-Making

“…Some experts have used ERPs to evaluate cognitive function in HIV patients (17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26). Using versions of a simple, relatively slow (1 tone/sec delivery), undemanding cognitive paradigm (the simple "oddball" task), they have reported longer latency P300 components (approximately 20 -70 ms) in an AIDS subgroup as compared to control subjects (17 -26).…”