Dementia and the ncurovirulence of HIV-1

Infection with hitman immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) leads rapidly to infection of the brain and subsequent neuropsychological impairment, including subclinical impairment, minor cognitive-motor disorder, and HIV1-associated dementia (HAD). This article reviews HAD and the factors involved in its pathogenesis; the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy; the prevalence of HIV-1. and subtypes; and the role ofchemokines and cytokines as the capstones associated ivith neuropathology due to inflammation.