Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that
weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections
and disease. It has neurotoxic effects, thus it is not surprising that HIV
infection can cause problems including neurocognitive impairment (NCI) anddementia. Prior to widespread availability of combination antiretroviral
therapy (cART), the prevalence of HIVassociated dementia was estimated to be
between 6 - 30% among HIV positive patients . With the advent of cART, the most
severe forms of HIV-associated dementia significantly decreased in prevalence,
but milder forms of impairment remain highly prevalent and increase with age,
affecting about 30 - 60% of HIV patients. It has, however, to be noted that
there is current discussion about the prevalence of neurocognitive dysfunction,
which might be under- or overestimated, depending on the neurocognitive
assessment tools used. In addition, compared to the first decade of the
epidemic, a shift has occurred .
Standardcomprehensive neuropsychological test batteries exist for the assessment of NCI
in HIV patients. However, more extensive neuropsychological test batteries,
although very useful in highlighting neurocognitive impairment, are difficult
to apply in every clinical setting, because they require neuropsychological and
neurological expertise and are influenced by differences in education, culture,
and language across borders, and there is a lack of appropriate normative data
for many patient populations.
