HIV associated neurocognitive disorders

Abstract

With the development of new antiretroviral therapies, there has been significant developments in the understanding of the neuropathogenesis of HIV-associated brain disease and the effects of these drugs in the CNS. This fact originated a substantial improvement in the survival of patients and influenced the course of cognitive impairment associated with HIV infection. This review intends to be an update on the epidemiological, etiopathogenic, clinical and therapeutic aspects related to neurodeterioration. A key challenge for the clinician working in this area is to diagnose, as early as possible, the cognitive deficits ocuring in the primary stages of the disease, to determine the prognosis (according to clinical, laboratory and neuropsychological findings) and establish a therapeutic approach. So the neuropsychological assessment should be included in the routine evaluation of these patients. This would have an important impact on their quality of life and improve, the antiretroviral therapy compliance.