Cognitive Intra-individual Variability in the Laboratory Is Associated With Greater Executive Dysfunction in the Daily Lives of Older Adults With HIV

Cogn Behav Neurol. 2024 Mar 1;37(1):32-39. doi: 10.1097/WNN.0000000000000358.

Abstract

Background: Executive dysfunction, which is common among persons with HIV (PWH), can have an adverse impact on health behaviors and quality of life. Intra-individual variability (IIV) is a measure of within-person variability across cognitive tests that is higher in PWH and is thought to reflect cognitive dyscontrol.

Objective: To assess whether cognitive IIV in the laboratory is associated with self-reported executive dysfunction in daily life among older PWH.

Method: Participants included 71 PWH aged ≥50 years who completed six subtests from the Cogstate battery and two subscales from the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe; self-report version). Cognitive IIV was calculated from the Cogstate as the coefficient of variation derived from age-adjusted normative T scores.

Results: Cognitive IIV as measured by the Cogstate showed a significant, positive, medium-sized association with current FrSBe ratings of executive dysfunction but not disinhibition.

Conclusion: Higher cognitive IIV in the laboratory as measured by the Cogstate may be related to the expression of HIV-associated symptoms of executive dysfunction in daily life for older PWH.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Quality of Life