HIV encephalopathy 647 26. HIV-1 associated Encephalopathy and Myelopathy

The primary cause of HIV encephalopathy (HIVE) is the infection of the CNS caused by HIV. If untreated, some 15-20 % of patients will eventually develop the disease. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) the incidence of the disorder has decreased. Other terms used for this condition with largely the same significance are AIDS dementia complex, AIDS dementia, HIV dementia, and HIV associated cognitive motor complex. HIVE only occurs in the later stages of the HIV infection when there is a profound immune suppression (CD4+ T-cells < 200/μl). The incidence of HIVE will likely increase in the developed countries as a consequence of increasing life expectancy (Valcour 2004).