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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a pilot study in Cameroon

Authors: Georgette D Kanmogne, Callixte T Kuate, Lucette A Cysique, Julius Y Fonsah, Sabine Eta, Roland Doh, Dora M Njamnshi, Emilienne Nchindap, Donald R Franklin Jr, Ronald J Ellis, John A McCutchan, Fidele Binam, Dora Mbanya, Robert K Heaton, Alfred K Njamnshi

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

The disease burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is highest in sub-Saharan Africa but there are few studies on the associated neurocognitive disorders in this region. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Western neuropsychological (NP) methods are appropriate for use in Cameroon, and to evaluate cognitive function in a sample of HIV-infected adults.

Methods

We used a battery of 19 NP measures in a cross-sectional study with 44 HIV+ adults and 44 demographically matched HIV- controls, to explore the validity of these NP measures in Cameroon, and evaluate the effect of viral infection on seven cognitive ability domains.

Results

In this pilot study, the global mean z-score on the NP battery showed worse overall cognition in the HIV+ individuals. Significantly lower performance was seen in the HIV+ sample on tests of executive function, speed of information processing, working memory, and psychomotor speed. HIV+ participants with AIDS performed worse than those with less advanced HIV disease.

Conclusions

Similar to findings in Western cohorts, our results in Cameroon suggest that HIV infection, particularly in advanced stages, is associated with worse performance on standardized, Western neurocognitive tests. The tests used here appear to be promising for studying NeuroAIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Metadata
Title
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in sub-Saharan Africa: a pilot study in Cameroon
Authors
Georgette D Kanmogne
Callixte T Kuate
Lucette A Cysique
Julius Y Fonsah
Sabine Eta
Roland Doh
Dora M Njamnshi
Emilienne Nchindap
Donald R Franklin Jr
Ronald J Ellis
John A McCutchan
Fidele Binam
Dora Mbanya
Robert K Heaton
Alfred K Njamnshi
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-10-60

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