How Does Dementia Spread

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Nervous System Problems and Dementia

What Are Nervous System Problems? The nervous system has two parts. The brain and spinal cord are the central nervous system (CNS). The nerves and muscles are the peripheral (around the outside) nervous system. People with HIV disease can have several problems with the nervous system. A common problem is peripheral neuropathy. This can cause damage to nerves controlling sensation. Symptoms may include altered sensation, numbness, tingling,...

Ask the Experts

dementia

I have a question on how the HIV virus affects the brain. I know a parson who has 26yrs AIDS positive and has demtia. how is demtia offset by HIV? I know that HIV is in your blood and therefor it is everywere, but wouldnt it actulay have to nfect...

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D.

University of Miami School of Medicine

Yes, HIV is found in the blood, mainly in T cells. It also infects other types of cells called macrophages. These cells can enter the central nervous system and the infection can spread to other cells in the brain and spinal chord. The brain is... Read more »

what is hiv dementia & what is hiv drug-related dementia & their symptoms

i am concerned that i have hiv-dementia. I have never yet read anything about its symptoms? How can i tell if i am getting hiv-dementia and how can one distinguish between hiv- versus hiv-med-related dementia, that is, dementia caused by the hiv...

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D.

University of Miami School of Medicine

HIV-associated dementia inlcudes symptoms like slowed thinking, memory problems, impaired concentration, tremors, gait problems, apathy and social withdrawal.There are some medicines that can cause memory problems and other cognitive impairments,... Read more »

HIV associated Dementia: Modified HIV dementia scale

Dear Dr HorwathI am a medical researcher at CSIR looking and cognition and depression in HIV positive workers. Is the modified HIV dementia scale a good screening tool for a non-neurologists (The Hopkins HIV report Vol 8 No. 4, November 1996). And...

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D.

University of Miami School of Medicine

Yes, the modified HIV dementia scale has been tested and compared to the original version. The modified version deletes the item on attention, which consists of testing antisaccadic eye movements, an item that most non-neurologists or otherwise... Read more »

dementia

can dementia be cured by proper nutrition?...

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D.

University of Miami School of Medicine

No, proper nutrition cannot cure dementia.... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

HIV Associated Dementia Symptoms

Posted by ScotCharles

You can be somewhat functional and still have HAD.

Manifestations of Dementia

Early manifestations of dementia may include the following:

Decreased attention or concentration

Reduced speed of information processing

Psychomotor slowing

Impaired... Read more »

HIV DEMENTIA

Posted by mrc911, 2 Replies

I was recently diagnosed with HIV dementia. I am extremely depressed and have been out of work since June. My tcell count is 660 and viral load <60. I feel like I am going crazy just thinking about having to take more meds and the cost of the... Read more »

Apathy as part of dementia????

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I looked at dementia and all they say is a very clinical, characterized by apathy, slowed thinking, forgetfulness, blah, blah, blah,-----can anyone give real life examples that will describe what apathy appears like --- slowed thinking, what does... Read more »

aids dementia

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I have been pos for more than 23 years and now the mds think my dementia is getting worse . I am sure the viris got into my brain when I had no T cells . Now I work full time but ... Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>