Clinical Report: Mobile Cognitive Assessments Reveal Distinct Patterns in HIV
Overview
This study investigates the longitudinal performance of a mobile Verbal Learning Test (mVLT) in adults with and without HIV. Findings indicate that while HIV-negative controls showed improvement over time, individuals living with HIV did not.
Background
As the population of older adults living with HIV increases, understanding cognitive aging in this group is critical. Despite effective antiretroviral therapy, older individuals with HIV remain at risk for neurocognitive decline. Sensitive tools for monitoring cognitive changes are essential.
Data Highlights
Group
mVLT Performance Change
HIV-negative controls
Improved over time
People living with HIV
No significant improvement
Key Findings
Aggregate mean mVLT performance improved over time among HIV-negative controls.
No significant improvement was observed in mVLT performance among people living with HIV.
Age moderated mVLT trajectories, with older age linked to worse outcomes in people living with HIV.
Worse mVLT trajectories in people living with HIV were associated with higher cerebrovascular risk and lower social functioning.
Standard in-person neuropsychological testing did not show significant group differences in longitudinal trajectories.
Clinical Implications
The findings suggest that mobile cognitive assessments like the mVLT may provide a more sensitive measure of cognitive decline in people living with HIV compared to traditional testing methods. Clinicians may consider incorporating mobile assessments into routine cognitive monitoring for this population.
Conclusion
Mobile cognitive assessments may enhance the detection of cognitive changes in older adults living with HIV, supporting the need for further research and potential integration into clinical practice.
by Alena Stasenko, Laura M. Campbell, Anne Heaton, Emily W. Paolillo, David J. Moore, Robert K. Heaton, Colin A. Depp, Amy Pinkham, Robert A. Ackerman, Philip D. Harvey, Raeanne C. Moore
