Dementia With HIV

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is HIV-associated dementia? " пїЅ Dementia is a brain disorder that causes thinking and memory problems, plus problems with movement or emotions. These problems make it hard to work or do other daily activities. People who have a virus called "HIV " пїЅ can sometimes get dementia. When doctors do not find any other cause for dementia in people with HIV, it is called "HIV-associated dementia. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the bodys infection-fighting system, called the "immune system. " пїЅ It can cause many different problems, including dementia. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of HIV-associated dementia? " пїЅ The symptoms of HIV-associated dementia can start very mild and get worse slowly. Early symptoms can include mild problems with reading, understanding or remembering things, or doing simple math. пїЅ пїЅ

More severe symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Thinking or understanding things more slowly than before
Walking or moving more slowly than before
Worse memory problems
Problems speaking

People who have HIV-associated dementia might also have: пїЅ пїЅ

Trouble walking steadily or keeping their balance
Leg weakness
Shaking (doctors call this "tremor " пїЅ)
Less energy than usual " пїЅ A person who has HIV-associated dementia might not be as interested in doing things as before.
Loss of interest in sex
Less emotion than usual " пїЅ A person who has HIV-associated dementia might not care about things or show emotion like he or she used to.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. See a doctor or nurse if you think you or someone close to you might have HIV-associated dementia. The symptoms are sometimes caused by other medical conditions that doctors can treat. Doctors can also give you advice or medicines to help with symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for HIV-associated dementia? " пїЅ No, there is no one test. The doctor or nurse can do an exam, ask questions, and decide which tests are best for your individual situation. пїЅ пїЅ

If a person with HIV has symptoms of dementia, doctors might do a CT scan or MRI of the brain. These are imaging tests that create pictures of the inside of the brain. They can help doctors tell if symptoms are caused by HIV or a different condition. Another possible test is called a lumbar puncture (also called a "spinal tap " пїЅ). In this procedure, a doctor puts a thin needle into a person's lower back and takes out a small amount of spinal fluid. Lab tests of the fluid can tell the doctor more about what might be causing dementia symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

How is HIV-associated dementia treated? " пїЅ The main treatment is a group of medicines to treat the HIV. Doctors call these medicines "antiretroviral medicines. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

If you have HIV, you probably take antiretroviral medicines already. Your doctor might give you different medicines if you start to get dementia. He or she will do regular exams, talk to you about your condition, and do tests to see how you are doing. пїЅ пїЅ

People who have HIV-associated dementia sometimes also get depressed. Doctors can give medicines to treat the depression. If you take these medicines, the doctor or nurse will check often to make sure they are working correctly and not making you feel sick. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83082 Version 3.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Dementia With HIV

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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