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. (JINS, 2001,
7, 27–32)
