How Does HIV/AIDS Affect The Brain?

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 and impairs their proper function.

 

HIV infection may cause a number of problems in the brain and nervous system, including:

 

• Damage to the brain
•  Inflammation of the brain
• Meningitis
• Nerve damage
• Difficulties in thinking
• Behavioral changes
• Poor circulation
• Headache
• Stroke

 

AIDS-related cancers, such as lymphoma, and opportunistic infections may also affect the nervous system. Neurological symptoms may be mild in the early stages of the disease, but can become severe in the final stages. Complications vary widely from one patient to another.

 Such as:

 

• Headache
• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Low-grade fever
• Weakness
• Speech disturbance
• Ataxia (loss of muscle control)
• Apraxia (inability of a person to perform voluntary and skillful movements)
• Seizures
• Sensory loss.

 

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a disorder that can also occur in patients with AIDS, causes:

 

• Weakness
• Hemiparesis or facial weakness
• Dysphasia (trouble with speech)
• Vision loss
• Ataxia.