Dementia

Dementia is the loss of the ability to think, remember and work things out. It usually affects old people. But HIV can damage the brain leading to the development of dementia.

But in countries like the UK, where HIV treatment is available, dementia in people with HIV is extremely rare. The cases of dementia that are now seen often involve people who have their HIV diagnosed very late, when they are extremely unwell because of HIV.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dementia that is associated with HIV can be divided into three types. People can develop any or all of these symptoms.  

  • Difficulty in thinking or understanding, such as forgetfulness, loss of memory, loss of concentration and confusion.
  • Changes in behaviour, including loss of interest, feelings of isolation and childishness.
  • Problems with movement and co-ordination such as loss of balance or strength in the limbs.

Treatment

Dementia now only develops in very rare circumstances. HIV treatment will mean that your immune system is strong enough to stop you developing dementia.

Some anti-HIV drugs are very good at getting into the brain and are therefore very good at preventing or treating dementia.  These include abacavir (Ziagen), AZT (zidovudine), d4T (stavudine, Zerit), and efavirenz (Sustiva).

This page was last reviewed on Thursday, January 01 2009

This page will next be reviewed on Friday, January 01 2010