HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)

Isr Med Assoc J. 2015 Jan;17(1):54-9.

Abstract

Neurocognitive impairment still occurs in the era of HAART, though its onset appears to be delayed and its severity reduced, while HIV-infected individuals live longer with the infection. HAND defines three categories of disorders according to standardized measures of dysfunction: asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI), mild neurocognitive disorder (MND), and HIV-associated dementia (HAD). The pathogenic mechanisms underlying HAND involve host and virus characterizations and interactions and seem to depend heavily on the overall condition of the immune system. Since there are insufficient data at this point to determine the best therapeutic approach, and since HAART apparently is not sufficient to prevent or reverse HAND, therapy with a combination of drugs with high CPE should be considered while adjunctive and alternative therapies are being explored.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Dementia Complex / drug therapy
  • AIDS Dementia Complex / physiopathology*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / virology*
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents