Research on cognitive functions in opioids addicted subjects treated with methadone indicate that cognitive functions are in various degree disturbed.

This study aims to assess the impact of a therapeutic dose of methadone on psychomotor velocity in HIV (+) and HIV (-) subjects treated with substitution therapy.

73 patients were examined, 32 HIV (-) and 41 HIV (+) (mean age 39.5 ± 7.7) treated with methadone for an average of 54 months. The examination was conducted twice: before and about 1.5 hours after the administration of a therapeutic dose of methadone (mean dose: 83 ± (34) mg). A test sheet was placed on the graphic tablet. In both parts of the test execution time was measured.

It was found that the average time of TMT A completion before methadone administration in HIV (-) individuals is 40.2 ± (12)s and in HIV (+) ones - 50.6 ± (25.7)s, after methadone administration in HIV (-) individuals: 36.4 ± (10.2)s, in HIV (+) - 42.4 ± (18,8,51)s. The value of T test in HIV (-) and HIV (+) subjects before the administration of a therapeutic dose of methadone amounts to t = 2.1083, p = 0.0385, and after the application it amounts to t = 1.6157, p = 0.1106.

Psychomotor velocity measured by TMT A Test before the administration of a therapeutic dose of methadone increases significantly in HIV(-) subjects in comparison to HIV (+) ones. Psychomotor velocity after the administration of a therapeutic dose of methadone is not statistically significant in HIV (-) subjects as compared to HIV (+) ones.