Progressive Cerebral Volume Loss in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract
NEUROCOGNITIVE disorders in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease range in severity from incapacitating HIV-associated dementia to milder but symptomatic HIV-associated minor cognitive-motor disorders to asymptomatic subtle cognitive impairments revealed as deficits only by detailed neuropsychological testing. These neurocognitive disorders seem to be directly caused by HIV in the brain.1-6 Because the neurons are not infected by HIV, the neuronal damage responsible for these conditions is probably due to the neurotoxic products of HIV-infected lymphocytes, macrophages, and microglia.7-9