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Biomedical subjects

D L Damos

Publications and source records attributed to D L Damos.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Cognitive function in asymptomatic HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature and extent of cognitive deficits in early stage (asymptomatic) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive homosexual and bisexual men. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used to compare 27 HIV-positive, asymptomatic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stages 2 and 3) homosexual and bisexual men, who were designated as the seropositive group, with 29 seronegative homosexual and bisexual men, who were designated as the control group. METHODS: The participant groups were closely matched on a number of demographic and lifestyle variables. Participants were carefully and repeatedly screened for substance abuse, a history of psychiatric problems, use of psychoactive medications, and neurological problems. All participants completed an extensive neuropsychological battery and a computerized information processing battery to identify cognitive deficits. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences were found on either the neuropsychological assessments or the information processing tests. Additionally, we found no evidence of a subgroup of seropositive, asymptomatic individuals with general cognitive slowing. CONCLUSIONS: Educated, HIV-positive asymptomatic individuals may show little difference in cognitive performance compared with a group of matched controls when the groups are carefully screened and matched. Additionally, computerized tests may be no more sensitive than neuropsychological tests to cognitive decrements for these types of participants.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Anti-retroviral therapy and cognitive function.

BACKGROUND: The effect of anti-retroviral medications on the cognitive functions important in flying has not been determined. HYPOTHESIS: Anti-retroviral medications have no effect on the cognitive performance of individuals at the CDC 4C2 (symptomatic HIV disease with no illness indicative of full-blown AIDS) stage of infection. METHODS: A two-group study using a cross-sectional design was used. The participants in each group represented a sample of convenience obtained from a larger, naturalistic study. Each group consisted of 10 HIV+ males at the CDC 4C2 stage of infection. The two groups were found to be comparable on age, education, pre-morbid intelligence, and ethnicity. All members of the anti-retroviral medication group had been receiving medications for at least 3 mo. Those in the control group (no anti-retroviral medication) had received no anti-retroviral medications for at least 6 mo. Cognitive functioning was assessed using a computerized information processing battery that included test similar to those under consideration for inclusion in military pilot selection batteries and a neuropsychological battery. As part of the larger study, the participants were carefully and repetitively screened on factors known to affect performance on neuropsychological instruments. RESULTS: The groups showed little difference in cognitive functioning. CONCLUSION: Although more research is needed, anti-retroviral medication does not impair, and may improve, the cognitive processes of individuals with symptomatic HIV infection who do not have AIDS.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Methodological issues in the study of HIV+ individuals.

Because of advances in the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), increased numbers of individuals infected with HIV are remaining in the work force longer. Ergonomists will be called upon soon to modify the work environment or job to allow these individuals to remain productive. Few data, however, exist that can help an ergonomist make such changes for HIV+ individuals. The ergonomist, therefore, either must extrapolate from existing data or collect relevant data. This paper addresses some of the issues that an ergonomist will confront when interpreting existing data or conducting research using HIV+ individuals.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Pilot selection batteries: shortcomings and perspectives.

This article presents a critical examination of pilot selection batteries. The first part of the article focuses on two problems. First, the vast majority of pilot selection batteries predict training performance rather than operational performance; second, the batteries have low correlations between the predictors and the criterion. The second part of the article examines why these two problems occur. Last, a number of suggestions for improving the predictive validity of the selection batteries are offered.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1994

High false alarm rates on a vigilance task may indicate recreational drug use.

Neuropsychologists need more sensitive methods to detect and measure recreational drug use in both research and clinical settings. In a study comparing the sensitivity of information processing tasks and neuropsychological instruments to detect early HIV-related cognitive decrements, 18 of 129 subjects tested positive for recreational drugs. Sixteen of these 18 subjects had elevated false alarm rates on one of the information processing tasks, the vigilance task. Another 45 subjects who tested negative for recreational drugs also had elevated false alarm rates. Neuropsychological measures of premorbid functioning, attention, speed of information processing, and manual dexterity were lower in the high false alarm subjects than in the remaining 66 drug-negative, low false alarm subjects. These results suggest that a high false alarm rate may reflect long-standing cognitive disturbances and the effects of drug use. The vigilance task may be a sensitive and efficient screening tool for recreational drug use.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed1984

Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER): critical tracking test.

A critical tracking test was considered for inclusion in the Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER) Battery which was designed for use in unusual environments. Baseline measures were obtained by testing 18 subjects for 14 consecutive days. Mean performances increased but standard deviations were constant over the 14 days. Test-retest reliabilities improved over the first 8 days after which differential stability was seen. The implications for the use of this test in exotic environments are discussed. The critical tracking test is recommended as a good candidate for environmental research when practiced to total stability.

Adult↗