NINDS Neurological Manifestations of AIDS Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Neurological Manifestations of AIDS Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: AIDS
Conditions: AIDS

What are Neurological Manifestations of AIDS?
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the result of an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus attacks selected cells of the immune, nervous, and other systems impairing their proper function. HIV infection may cause damage to the brain and spinal cord, causing encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain), nerve damage, difficulties in thinking (i.e., AIDS dementia complex), behavioral changes, poor circulation, headache, and stroke. AIDS-related cancers such as lymphoma and opportunistic infections (OI) may also affect the nervous system. Neurological symptoms may be mild in the early stages of AIDS, but may become severe in the final stages. Complications vary widely from one patient to another. Cerebral toxoplasmosis, a common OI in AIDS patients, causes such symptoms as headache, confusion, lethargy, and low-grade fever. Other symptoms may include weakness, speech disturbance, ataxia, apraxia, seizures, and sensory loss. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a disorder that can also occur in AIDS patients, causes weakness, hemiparesis or facial weakness, dysphasia, vision loss, and ataxia. Some patients with PML may also develop compromised memory and cognition.

Is there any treatment?
There is no cure for AIDS but recently developed, experimental treatments appear very promising. Some symptoms and complications may improve with treatment. For example, antidementia drugs may relieve confusion and slow mental decline. Infections may be treated with antibiotics. Radiation therapy may be needed to treat AIDS-related cancers present in the brain or spinal cord. Drug "cocktails" recommended to treat AIDS can cause neuropathy. Neurological complications of AIDS are often underrecognized by AIDS clinicians, so patients who suspect they are having neurological complications should be sure to discuss these with their doctor.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for individuals with AIDS in recent years has improved significantly because of new drugs and treatments, and educational and preventive efforts.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports a broad spectrum of basic and clinical research studies on the neurological complications of AIDS. Much of this research is conducted at leading biomedical research institutions across the country.

Organizations

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
2950 31st Street
Suite 125
Santa Monica, CA 90405
info@pedAIDS.org
http://www.pedaids.org/
Tel: 310-314-1459 888-499-HOPE (-4673)
Fax: 310-314-1469

American Foundation for AIDS Research
120 Wall Street
13th Floor
New York, New York 10005-3902
publications@amfar.org
http://www.amfar.org/
Tel: 212-806-1600
Fax: 212-806-1601

National Association of People with AIDS
1413 K Street, NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-3442
jmbrevelle@napwa.org
http://www.napwa.org/
Tel: 202-898-0414 ext. 124
Fax: 202-898-0435

National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium
1050 Forest Hill Road
Staten Island, NY 10314
Joanna@hivbrainbanks.org
http://www.hivbrainbanks.org/
Tel: 800-510-1678
Fax: 718-494-5347

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Prevention Information Network
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
info@cdcnpin.org
http://www.actis.org/
Tel: 301-562-1098 800-458-5231

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
National Institutes of Health
31 Center Drive, Rm. 7A50 MSC 2520
Bethesda, MD 20892-2520
(see website)
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
Tel: 301-496-5717

Health Disparities Planning Panel on NeuroAIDS in Minority Populations
Report of the Health Disparities Planning Panel on NeuroAIDS in Minority Populations meeting held July 16, 2001.

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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