[EEG findings during the course of HIV infection]

Clinical neurological complications in HIV-infection (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) are seen in later stages of the disease. EEGs of 186 patients in different stages of HIV-infection and of 44 HIV-seronegative volunteers (total of 566 recordings) were evaluated visually; this revealed an increasing appearance of CNS-dysfunction (slowing of background activity, focal and diffuse CNS-dysfunction) associated with a progression of the disease. Slowing of background activity was already found in early stages of HIV-infection. Additional focal and diffuse changes in the electrical activity of the brain are also seen with progression of the infection (LAS/ARC-AIDS). The correlation between these electroencephalographic changes and HIV related clinical symptoms are non specific however, EEG recordings can be a valuable aid in following CNS-dysfunction during the course of HIV-infection.