Encephale
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[Cognition disorders in HIV infection. Validation of a brief neuropsychological evaluation battery].
The objective of our study was the elaboration and the validation of a brief neuropsychological battery sensitive to the main cognitive and psychomotor deficits in HIV+ patients with HIV encephalopathy and cognitive impairment associated with seropositivity. We evaluated the sensitivity of this brief battery with respect to a large neuropsychological battery of standardized tests. ⋯ The brief battery (BB) testing 6 cognitive functions could be considered as a sensitive, practical instrument for rapid detection of cognitive impairment in HIV+ patients, with a few rate of false positive or negative diagnosis. However, it is not adequate for determining whether psychiatric or/and organic brain pathology is at the origin of the deficit. Evaluation and follow-up of a possible anxio-depressive component has to be considered together before concluding.