Neuropsychiatric aspects of AIDS dementia complex: a report on a clinical series

The AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC) frequently occurs in individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). We report on a clinical series of 33 patients with either AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), who were referred for neuropsychological evaluation. This clinical series supports the developing understanding that AIDS spectrum patients often demonstrate impairment on tasks involving abstract reasoning, memory, speeded mental processing and motoric slowing. This series helps to draw attention to a small subgroup of patients, with no previous psychiatric history, who after infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), present with hyperactivity, euphoria and grandiose delusions. ADC would appear to bear with it the increased possibility of the development of secondary mania.