title: Electroencephalogram base rhythm in AIDS patients.
abstract: We studied the EEG of 73 patients diagnosed with HIV infection, with or without secondary complications. Sixty-eight belonged to CDC (Center for Disease Control) group IV and 38 presented signs or symptoms of encephalic neurological impairment. Rhythms constituting base activity were alpha (65.75%), beta (13.70%), theta (12.33%), and delta (8.22%). The alpha rhythm presented two modes: slow (8 to 9 Hz) in 25/48 or 52.08% of the cases and not-slow (> 9 to 13 Hz) in 23/48 or 47.92% of the cases. The alpha slow-mode has been observed in about 10 to 15% of the normal population, with the 8 Hz frequency being found in only 1% of the normal adult population, which suggests that in some manner HIV is implicated in the slowing-down of the EEG base rhythm in AIDS patients. The patients from CDC group IV with encephalic neurological involvement presented a base rhythm significantly lower than those with non-encephalic involvement or the absence of neurological impairment.
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: do Prado
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000503:physiopathology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D002648:Child; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged