Mental changes in patients with AIDS

Abstract

Mental changes are common in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Neuropsychological data of 32 patients with AIDS and cognitive symptoms were reviewed. All patients were neurologically examined and ancilliary investigations were performed. According to the neuropsychological data three groups could be distinguished: I) 4 patients with dementia and cortical deficits; II) 16 patients with subcortical dementia; III) 12 patients with subcortical cognitive deficits without global intellectual deterioration. AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) was diagnosed in 12 patients and occurred in all three groups. The most frequent form of dementia in patients with AIDS is of a subcortical type. Impaired memory or reduced psychomotor speed, or both, are common in patients without global intellectual deterioration. ADC seems an unlikely diagnosis in patients with cortical dementia. Neuropsychological examination is important for diagnosing ADC but the diagnosis cannot be made without regarding the neurological findings and ancilliary investigations.