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Dissertation
Alcohol use in individuals with HIV: an evaluation of neurocognitive performance
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jul 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6047
Abstract
Existing neuropsychological research involving HIV+ individuals has not systematically considered the influence of alcohol use and depression on cognitive performance, though both commonly co-occur with HIV. Moreover, few studies have examined the relationship between subjective cognitive concerns and objective task score in HIV. Evidence suggests that these measures may be discordant in HIV populations. We administered a computerized cognitive battery (the CogState Battery and the Iowa Gambling Task) to 122 HIV+ men and women who reported consuming alcohol in the past 90 days, to characterize neuropsychological performance in executive functioning (EF), verbal learning/memory, visual learning/memory, attention, working memory, psychomotor speed, and decision-making. Participants also completed self-report measures assessing recent alcohol consumption, perceived cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms. We hypothesized that higher levels of recent drinking would be associated with poorer cognitive test scores, particularly in the domains of EF and memory. We found a significant influence of heavy alcohol use on objective cognitive performance in immediate verbal memory, but not delayed verbal memory or EF. Higher levels of drinking were related to more self-reported cognitive complaints in memory, EF, and impulsivity. Depressive symptoms, although limited in our sample, were correlated with heavier drinking and poorer self-appraisal of cognition. Depression score was not correlated with objective task performance in any domain. This research provides an initial step towards defining the neuropsychological profile of HIV+ drinkers.
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Details
- Title
- Alcohol use in individuals with HIV
- Creators
- Kara Rose Newman - DU
- Contributors
- Mary Spiers (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6047; 991014632546704721