Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026
12:07
A Thin-skull Window Technique for Chronic Two-photon In vivo Imaging of Murine Microglia in Models of Neuroinflammation
Published on: September 19, 2010
Central Neurologic Complications of HIV Infection
1Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 South Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Current Infectious Disease Reports
|November 30, 2000
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects the central nervous system (CNS) early. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load aids CNS infection assessment, while cytokines and therapies are explored for HIV CNS disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) establishes a persistent infection within the central nervous system (CNS) early after initial infection.
- Understanding the dynamics of HIV in the CNS is critical for managing neurological complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral loads in assessing brain infection and neurological performance.
- To update knowledge on the role of cytokines and their receptors in HIV-associated CNS disease.
- To summarize recent findings from controlled therapeutic trials, including antiretroviral therapy and neuroprotective strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical data on CSF viral loads and neurological outcomes.
- Discussion of the impact of cytokine receptors on cellular invasion (endothelial cells, monocytes, microglia, neurons).
- Analysis of results from controlled therapeutic trials for HIV CNS disease.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence supports CSF viral load as a valuable marker for CNS infection and monitoring therapeutic effects in neurologically symptomatic individuals.
- Cytokine receptors influence the invasion pathways of various cells within the CNS.
- Antiretroviral therapy and neuroprotective strategies show impact in recent therapeutic trials.
Conclusions:
- CSF viral load is a key metric for evaluating and managing HIV CNS infections.
- Cytokines and their receptors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HIV neurological disease.
- Ongoing therapeutic interventions offer promise for managing HIV-related brain complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
01:22Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...