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Friend diagnosed with full blown AIDS in June, has dementia, help! Apr 17, 2000 Dear doctors, My son's father was diagnosed with full blown AIDS last June after a bout with pneumonia in April. After diagnosis, they determined his t-cell count to be 11 and v.l. at over 500,000 copies. He had spinal tap which revealed Crypto fungus. Since meds, his t-cells are now 173 and viral load under 300 copies. Problem is his dementia is not improving even though doctors have told me it will get better as t-cells increase. I have seen little improvement. Our son is 11 yrs. old and it is very hard on him. Is there any hope that my friend's dementia can improve with any experimental drugs or prescribed drugs? I miss my son's father and feel that since the dementia he is another person now mentally. We are all struggling with this disease. Any insight to dementia would be helpful. So far, people I know who work with AIDS patients tell me it is unlikely he will ever be the same mentally as before AIDS. Please help with any advice. Thank you so much. Alicia |
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| Response from Dr. Cohen
 Dear Alicia, Having a friend, loved one, or father with dementia is strange and terrifying. Many of the readers of this site will identify with what you are going through. Medically, there are a few things I can suggest. After cryptococcus can be due to increased spinal fluid pressure (hydrocephalus), or failure to get the fungus under control. There are several HIV-related reasons that the dementia may not be improving. He could have PML, which may not improve as the viral load falls. He could be on drugs that do not get into the spinal fluid well, and adjusting his antivirals could help. There may be a lag time before the brain improves, or there may be permanent damage which will never heal. Some drugs and some conditions can lead to "pseudo-dementia". The doctor may want to repeat an MRI, if not already done. He or she may want to consult with a neurologist who has lots of experience with HIV to see if there is anything that is being overlooked. Sometimes another spinal tap is needed, to see if the fungus is gone and if lowering the pressure leads to improvement. Good luck | ||
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