Dementia Due to HIV Infection (cont.)

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Medical Author:

Florian P Thomas, MD, MA, PhD

Medical Editor:

Nestor Galvez-Jimenez, MD

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Helmi L Lutsep, MD

Medical Treatment

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which is effective in controlling HIV infection, also protects many HIV-positive people from developing AIDS dementia complex. In some cases, HAART can partially or completely reduce symptoms of ADC.

No specific treatment is available for cognitive decline in AIDS. Specific symptoms such as depression and behavioral disturbances are sometimes relieved by drug therapy.

Antidepressant medications may improve symptoms of depression.
Antipsychotic medications can improve severe agitation or aggression, hallucinations, or delusions.
These “psychoactive” drugs are not appropriate for everyone.
Your health care provider may consult a specialist in brain disorders (neurologist or psychiatrist) to determine the best treatment.