Aids and the nervous system

People with AIDS can develop serious nervous system problems. These can be one of the most challenging aspects of the disease. The causes vary. Fungi, bacteria, viruses, or parasites may take advantage of the patient's weak defenses and infect the nervous system. There may also be a direct infection of the nervous system by the AIDS virus. Finally, nervous system problems can be a side effect of drugs taken to fight AIDS. Three-quarters of those who die with AIDS have damage to their nervous systems.

A common type of mental change due to the AIDS virus is AIDS Dementia Complex. Early symptoms include slowed thinking and poor short-term memory and concentration. Changes in behavior and motor coordination may take place. Those seriously affected must often quit work, and may have difficulty caring for themselves. Since this is caused directly by the AIDS virus, antiviral drugs may help. Amphetamines may help improve alertness and memory.

Two common brain conditions in people with AIDS are lymphoma and infection with toxoplasma. They cause symptoms of headaches, seizures, and lethargy. Toxoplasma is a one-celled parasite found in cat feces and raw meat. It causes patches of tissue death in the brain. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph tissue that can occur in the lymph tissue in the brain. Telling the two diseases apart requires a brain scan and blood tests. Sometimes a brain biopsy is needed.

Persons with AIDS may also get meningitis, an infection of the covering on the brain. There are many causes for this, including infection with fungi, bacteria, viruses, and the AIDS virus itself. Sometimes the infection spreads to the brain tissue.

Persons with AIDS may have weakened spinal cord function caused by the AIDS virus. Symptoms include leg weakness and loss of bladder control. There can also be damage to outlying nerves. These symptoms can include weakness, numbness, tingling and burning pain in the limbs. Damaged or dead nerve cells cannot grow back. Even if an infection or the AIDS virus is brought under control, permanent damage may occur. Treatment will need to be lifelong.

Persons living with AIDS should seek immediate medical care for any new symptoms, such as:

• a new headache
• changes in memory, concentration, or thinking
• changes in vision or motor ability or
• severe changes in personality or behavior

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File NEUR3526.RF2 VRS# 5501 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2000 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.