Evaluation of practice effect on neuropsychological measures among persons with and without HIV infection in northern India

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Raymond L. Ownby, University of Miami; Drenna Waldrop-Valverde, Emory University; Deborah L. Jones, University of Miami; Sunil Sharma, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Ritu Nehra, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Adarsh M. Kumar, University of Miami; Sudesh Prabhakar, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Amaillis Acevedo, Nova Southeastern University; Mahendra Kumar, University of Miami
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-02-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2016, Journal of NeuroVirology, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13365-016-0487-7
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of NeuroVirology
• ISSN: 1355-0284
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 134
• End Page: 140
• Grant/Funding Information: Supported by: NIH grant # RO1 NS-055653 (M. Kumar, P.I.)
• Keywords: NORMATIVE DATA; Practice effect; Neurocognitive; Virology; NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS; India; RELIABILITY; Neurosciences & Neurology; Neurosciences; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; Longitudinal assessment; METAANALYSES
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

An evaluation of the effects of HIV infection on neurocognition over time is important for understanding disease progression. Changes in cognitive function can be evaluated longitudinally by using neuropsychological testing at repeated intervals. The assessment of change over time, however, is complicated by the potentially confounding influence of learning on repeated test administrations, often referred to as practice effect. In this study, we present data on testing of persons with or without HIV infection on a battery administered at study baseline and repeated 1 year later. Results suggest that practice effects may be diminished in persons with HIV infection compared to without it. This appears to be true even among those with relatively intact immune functioning as measured by CD4 count.