Neurological soft signs as a marker of cognitive impairment severity in people living with HIV

Abstract HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) include asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI), mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) and HIV-associated dementia. Early recognition of HAND is crucial, and usually requires thorough neuropsychological testing. Neurological soft signs (NSS), i.e. minor motor and sensory changes, a common feature in severe psychiatric disorders, may facilitate early diagnosis. NSS were examined using the Heidelberg NSS Scale in 18 patients with ANI, 21 with MND, 28 HIV positive patients without HAND, and 39 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and education. The highest NSS scores were obtained in the MND patients (13.3 ± 10.0, p