Abstract
Neuropyschological dysfunction, ranging from mild cerebral indicators to dementia has been a consistent part of the medical picture of HIV/AIDS. However, advances in medical supervision, particularly as a result of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, have resulted in some mitigation of the neuropsychological effects of HIV and necessitate re-evaluation of the pattern and nature of HIV-related cognitive or mental deficits. The associated enhancements in morbidity and mortality that have occurred as a result of ARV medication have led to a need for interventions and programs that maintain behaviors that are healthy and stop the resurgence of the risk of HIV transmission. Risk factors such as mental illness and substance use that may have contributed to the initial infection with HIV still need consideration. These risk factors may also increase neuropsychological dysfunction and impact observance of prevention for treatment and recommendations. Explicitly, a better comprehension of the role of substance use on the progression of HIV-related mental decline can enlighten management and evaluation of persons living with HIV with concurrent disorders of substance use. This review provides a summary of the neurophyschology of substance use and HIV and the existing research that has looked at the effects of both substance use and HIV disease on neurophyscological function and suggestions for future research and treatment.
Keywords: Future research, HIV, neuropsychology, substance abuse, treatment.
Related Books
Botanicals and Natural Bioactives: Prevention and Treatment of Diseases
Medicinal Chemistry of Drugs Affecting Cardiovascular and Endocrine Systems
Frontiers In Medicinal Chemistry
Frontiers in Natural Product Chemistry
Alkaloids and Other Nitrogen-Containing Derivatives
Potential Health Benefits of Biologically Active Peptides Derived from Underutilized Grains: Recent Advances in their Isolation, Identification, Bioactivity and Molecular Analysis
Terpenes
Flavonoids and Phenolics
Therapeutic Use of Plant Secondary Metabolites
Therapeutic Implications of Natural Bioactive Compounds
60
1