title: Memory loss in persons with HIV/AIDS: assessment and strategies for coping.
abstract: Although the incidence of HIV-related dementia has decreased significantly in the era of contemporary HAART, the prevalence of memory and cognitive symptoms remains steady in persons with HIV/AIDS. Recognition of which memory symptoms may be specifically related to HIV infection is becoming more and more challenging because of the increased survival and aging of those living with HIV disease. Therefore, numerous age-related causes of memory impairment may need to be ruled out. Depression can often result in subjective memory symptoms but rarely causes objective cognitive impairment. Because of the widespread use of thiamine food supplementation, alcohol is now a less common cause of severe memory impairment. HAART remains the treatment of choice for HIV-related dementia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Ola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Selnes
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome