Brain function and HIV

[Opensesame]

[think before following links] https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-brain-hivassociated-neurocognitive-disorder

[iman2004]

Neurocognitive disorders have been known to be an effect of long term, uncontrolled HIV infection for some time. The interesting piece in this is the potential risks even at undetectable levels of infection. Still an area needing more investigation I think. This is an interesting piece though.

[viking8x6]

The article reads like a drug ad... so much so that it makes me suspicious. I notice it doesn't have any author or other attribution posted, and there aren't any references for any of the content.

[iman2004]

3 minutes ago, viking8x6 said:

The article reads like a drug ad... so much so that it makes me suspicious. I notice it doesn't have any author or other attribution posted, and there aren't any references for any of the content.

There is a lack of primary sources but although the language is slightly different it is pretty much what appears on AIDSmap. The important difference is the early stage effects, which might be the thing needing support

[BannedWord]

5 minutes ago, viking8x6 said:

The article reads like a drug ad... so much so that it makes me suspicious. I notice it doesn't have any author or other attribution posted, and there aren't any references for any of the content.

I read that too and thought the same thing and almost expected to see the text turn into a future medication and list of side effects.

"HAND is generally well tolerated, but side effects may include poor gas mileage, split ends, unibrow, receding hairline, uneven tire wear, purple and pink striped stools, bad interior design, low credit score, reduced resale value on your home, chafing jeans, low sperm count, vaginal odor, and feline leukemia. HAND should not be taken if you're allergic to HAND. Ask your proctologist if HAND is right for you." 😂🤣

[PigFaggot2904]

18 minutes ago, iman2004 said:

There is a lack of primary sources but although the language is slightly different it is pretty much what appears on AIDSmap. The important difference is the early stage effects, which might be the thing needing support

You're right @iman2004, thought I'd share some additional information for those outside of the UK:  AIDSmap is a UK charity that "works to change lives by sharing information about HIV & AIDS."  [think before following links] https://www.aidsmap.com/

I did a search for "brain function" on their website and these are the results, some interesting reads:  [think before following links] https://www.aidsmap.com/archive?keyword=brain+function

 

[iman2004]

29 minutes ago, TheSRQDude said:

I read that too and thought the same thing and almost expected to see the text turn into a future medication and list of side effects.

"HAND is generally well tolerated, but side effects may include poor gas mileage, split ends, unibrow, receding hairline, uneven tire wear, purple and pink striped stools, bad interior design, low credit score, reduced resale value on your home, chafing jeans, low sperm count, vaginal odor, and feline leukemia. HAND should not be taken if you're allergic to HAND. Ask your proctologist if HAND is right for you." 😂🤣

damn! I have most of those side effects...

[chipygmalion80]

"This form of cognitive impairment is more common in people who had a low CD4 count before they began HIV treatment. ... In particular, in people taking effective HIV treatment, HIV-associated cognitive disorder does not progress to dementia. (The more severe illness, known as HIV-associated dementia, is now hardly ever seen except in people who are diagnosed with HIV at a very late stage, with a very low CD4 count.)"

[think before following links] https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/cognitive-impairment-dementia-and-hiv

Getting older means getting slower but I press on.

I know have to read small text with my glasses on my head like my Mom did. 😮  13+ years on HAART that has managed my HIV very well is probably less likely to be the cause than just getting older.

 

[BootmanLA]

11 hours ago, chipygmalion80 said:

Getting older means getting slower but I press on.

I know have to read small text with my glasses on my head like my Mom did. 😮  13+ years on HAART that has managed my HIV very well is probably less likely to be the cause than just getting older.

My doctor has made essentially the same point: with my HIV levels well under control for years and my CD4 numbers remaining pretty good, I have more to worry about from things like high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and high cholesterol than I do about HIV itself. About the *only* good thing that came from my diagnosis is that it's put my HIV specialist on the watch for those other issues and keeping them under control - something I was very sloppy about prior to my diagnosis.

[Tommygun32]

HIV, even controlled well, ages the brain around 15 years 

[BootmanLA]

6 hours ago, tommygun32 said:

HIV, even controlled well, ages the brain around 15 years 

Not per the most recent studies I've been able to find.

This one, from last year, says the effect is about 3.3 years: [think before following links] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/44/8/zsab058/6204183

I suspect that as meds have improved, the longer-term impacts have declined. And in any event, results are going to vary from person to person; it's not like HIV *always* turned every 50 year old's brain into the equivalent of a 65 year old. 

[srider]

It can be really hard to parse all of this out as a clinician. Often if something happens, unless there is a reversible cause it generally doesn't matter the specific reason for cognitive decline. 

 

Keeping your VL down is your best bet.