Neurocognitive Impairment and Dementia in People With and Without HIV

People with HIV infection are at increased risk for dementia, possibly due to the combined effects of HIV-associated inflammation and traditional dementia risk factors such as chronic drug use and cerebrovascular disease. With the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment, severe forms of HIV-associated dementia are now uncommon, but milder forms of neurocognitive impairment affect up to 50% of people living with HIV. In preparation for future investigations on cognitive impairments in people aging with HIV, we are conducting a study to establish baseline knowledge on: 1) The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment and dementia, and 2) Risk factors for neurocognitive disorders among Kaiser Permanente Northern California patients with and without HIV infection.

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