The authors examined the correlation between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Dementia Scale (HDS) and psychomotor tests, evaluating basal ganglia function in 266 HIV-seropositive, Caucasian, homosexual men. Fifty-five HIV-positive, patients with mild dementia (HDS score < or =10) showed significant slowing of most rapid alternating movements (MRAM) and significantly prolonged contraction times compared to 211 HIV-positive nondemented patients (HDS score >10). Motor performance correlated significantly with the time-dependent HDS subscores for psychomotor speed and construction and HDS sum score. In contrast to contraction times and MRAM, HDS scores also showed significant correlations to age, premorbid and actual intelligence, and duration of HIV seropositivity.