Current Views on Common Neurologic Manifestations of HIV

W hile the advent of haart has greatly reduced the incidence of various neurological manifestations over the last few years, some complications continue to have a serious impact on the lives of hiv-infected patients. However, neuropathogenesis in the setting of hiv disease is still not well understood by the majority of health-care providers, a fact that may be hindering the successful implementation of diagnostic and treatment strategies. To provide its clinician members with an update on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of three common neurological manifestations—hiv-associated dementia, myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathy— prn dedicated its May 2000 meeting to this important topic. Featured by prn were two clinical neurologists and a neuropathologist. Dr. Susan Morgello, who addressed current concepts in hiv-associated dementia, also explored the issue of the central nervous system (cns) as a “sanctuary” for hiv. Dr. David Simpson detailed advances in diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy in hiv-infected patients, and Dr. Alessandro Di Rocco discussed myelopathy in patients with hiv disease.