HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) be neurological disorders wey be associate plus HIV infection den AIDS. E be a syndrome of progressive deterioration of memory, cognition, behavior, den motor function insyd HIV-infected individuals during de late stages of de disease, wen immunodeficiency be severe. HAND fi include neurological disorders of various severity. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders be associated plus a metabolic encephalopathy dem induce by HIV infection den fuel by immune activation of macrophages den microglia. Dese cells be actively infected plus HIV den secrete neurotoxins of both host den viral origin. De essential features of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) be disabling cognitive impairment wey be accompanied by motor dysfunction, speech problems den behavioral change. Cognitive impairment be characterised by mental slowness, trouble plus memory den poor concentration. Motor symptoms dey include a loss of fine motor control wey dey lead to clumsiness, poor balance den tremors. Behavioral changes fi include apathy, lethargy den diminished emotional responses den spontaneity. Histopathologically, e be identified by de infiltration of monocytes den macrophages into de central nervous system (CNS), gliosis, pallor of myelin sheaths, abnormalities of dendritic processes den neuronal loss.

HAD typically dey occur after years of HIV infection wey e be associated plus low CD4+ T cell levels den high plasma viral loads. Dem sam times dey see am as de first sign of de onset of AIDS. Prevalence be between 10 den 24% insyd Western countries wey na e be seen insyd 1–2% of India-based infections. Plus de advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), na de incidence of HAD decline insyd developed countries, although ein prevalence dey increase. HAART fi prevent anaa delay de onset of HAD insyd people plus HIV infection, wey e sanso fi improve mental function insyd people wey already get HAD.

Dementia dey exist per wen neurocognitive impairment insyd de patient be severe enough to interfere markedly plus day-to-day function. Dat be, de patient be typically unable to work wey dem no fi be able to take care of demaselves. Before dis, dem say de patient get a mild neurocognitive disorder.

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Category:HIV/AIDS
Category:Cognitive disorders
Category:Dementia