Long-term effects of high-dose zidovudine treatment on neuropsychological performance in mildly symptomatic HIV-positive patients: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2001 Jan;7(1):27-32. doi: 10.1017/s1355617701711034.

Abstract

This study examined the treatment outcome of high-dose (1500 mg/day) zidovudine (AZT) on neuropsychological (NP) functioning (Trailmaking Test A & B, WAIS-R Digit Symbol, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) across a 12-month period in mildly symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive men (n = 46 at entry) enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (VA Cooperative Studies Program #298). Neither short-term (0-6 months) nor long-term (0-12 months) AZT administration revealed enhancement in NP performance. The results suggest that, although AZT may afford patients prophylactic benefits, protracted high-dose AZT treatment does not improve NP functioning in mildly symptomatic HIV-positive individuals.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications*
  • HIV Seropositivity / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Time
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zidovudine / administration & dosage
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Zidovudine