HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

Excerpt

Since the first description of HIV and AIDS, it has been clear that cognitive impairment can be a common and early clinical feature of disease. Although anti-retroviral therapy has significantly reduced the frequency of HIV-associated dementia, mild cognitive impairment still affects up to 40 % of HIV-positive patients. However, the biological mechanisms underlying this clinical phenomenon remain poorly understood. A detailed understanding of the pathophysiology leading to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, and the temporal evolution of clinical manifestations of these deficits would be of great value in developing neuroprotective strategies. It would also be helpful in the early identification of patients with HIV-associated cognitive impairment, and allow the prompt use of targeted therapies. …