HIV Dementia

Specialty Area: Memory Disorders

The HIV (AIDS) virus can cause a progressive dementia. The symptoms of HIV dementia include: motor slowing, memory impairment and personality changes.

Before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, dementia secondary to HIV infection of the brain was a common neurological manifestations of HIV. Today, HIV dementia is rare in patients who are being treated, but may still occur in some patients. Patients who are unaware of their HIV-status are particularly at high risk.