Central auditory test performance predicts future neurocognitive function in children living with and without HIV

Tests of the brain’s ability to process sound (central auditory tests) correlate with overall measure of neurocognitive performance. In the developing world where resources to do detailed cognitive testing is limited, objective tests that use the central auditory system may provide a novel and useful way to track neurocognitive performance. This could be particularly useful for children with HIV. To assess this, we examined whether central auditory tests given early in a child’s life could predict tests of later neurocognitive performance. We used a machine learning technique to incorporate other factors known to affect performance on neurocognitive tests, such as education. The results show that central auditory tests are useful predictors of neurocognitive performance and perform as well or in some cases better than factors such as education. Central auditory tests may offer an objective way to track neurocognitive performance in children living with HIV.