Neuropsychological Characteristics of Adults with HIV: A Systematic Review

Natalia Cc,Ana Natalia Sr,Ma Guillermina Yt

doi:10.16966/2380-5536.182

Abstract

Introduction: HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) is frequently reported even in patients undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), however, its severity, the main affected domains, and its relationship with ART are not well understood.

Highlights

The relationship between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the central nervous system was initially identified in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) presenting opportunistic diseases such as encephalitis, leukoencephalopathy, toxoplasmosis, or meningitis [1]
Variable percentages of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) are reported in the analyzed studies, Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI) being the most and HIV-associated dementia (HAD) the least frequent
This cognitive impairment was initially termed AIDS-associated dementia complex when it was identified in AIDS phases and was later named HIV-associated dementia (HAD [6]), when it was determined that cognitive impairment could be detected even in the absence of opportunistic diseases

Summary

Introduction

The relationship between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the central nervous system was initially identified in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) presenting opportunistic diseases such as encephalitis, leukoencephalopathy, toxoplasmosis, or meningitis [1]. Afterwards, the virus was detected in neuronal cells, macrophages, and microglia of HIV-infected patients in the absence of opportunistic diseases, indicating that HIV could directly alter the Central Nervous System (CNS) and, cognitive functions [2]. Since the beginning of the epidemic, cases with varying degrees of cognitive impairment were reported in HIV-infected persons [6]. This cognitive impairment was initially termed AIDS-associated dementia complex when it was identified in AIDS phases and was later named HIV-associated dementia (HAD [6]), when it was determined that cognitive impairment could be detected even in the absence of opportunistic diseases. There is currently a consensus to use the Frascati criteria and the generic term HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), which includes the entire spectrum of cognitive impairment [3]: Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI), MND and HAD, of which ANI is the most frequent [6]

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Conclusion