ABSTRACT
Clinical neurological complications in HIV-infection (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are seen in later stages of the disease. EEGs of 186 patients in different stages of HIV-infection and of 44 HIV-seronegative volunteers (total of 566 recordings) were evaluated visually; this revealed an increasing appearance of CNS-dysfunction (slowing of background activity, focal and diffuse CNS-dysfunction) associated with a progression of the disease. Slowing of background activity was already found in early stages of HIV-infection. Additional focal and diffuse changes in the electrical activity of the brain are also seen with progression of the infection (LAS/ARC-AIDS). The correlation between these electroencephalographic changes and HIV related clinical symptoms are non specific however, EEG recordings can be a valuable aid in following CNS-dysfunction during the course of HIV-infection.
Subject(s)
Brain Diseases/diagnosis , Electroencephalography , HIV Infections/diagnosis , AIDS-Related Complex/diagnosis , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , HIV Seropositivity/diagnosis , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The visual evaluation of 370 clinical EEGs of 125 patients in different stages of the HIV-infection as well as 42 HIV-seronegative volunteers of the same high risk population (male homosexuals) proved the increasing appearance of CNS dysfunction with progression of the disease. An especially established hyperventilation-index for a semiquantitative evaluation of hyperventilation response showed an increase of slow-wave activity in the course of the infection. The appearance of slow-waves as well as a significant slowing of background activity in advanced stages of the HIV-infection can be regarded as unspecific signs of a beginning diffuse functional CNS disorder caused by a direct affection of the CNS through the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The EEG changes in early stages are not specific as to their causative agent and do not allow the distinction between primary and secondary CNS involvement. The changes may precede clinical-neurological alterations.
