Neuroepidemiology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Neuroepidemiology is that branch of chronic disease epidemiology dealing with disorders that affect the nervous system. The potential for neurological involvement in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has recently been noted. The following review outlines the spectrum of neurological conditions seen in AIDS patients to date. These conditions include: infectious central nervous system complications of viral, bacterial, fungal or protozoan origin; noninfectious central nervous system complications such as neoplasms or cerebral vascular accidents, and cranial and peripheral neuropathy. The incidence of neurological abnormalities among AIDS cases may be seriously underestimated due to a delay in the presentation of an overt neurological syndrome and/or the overlooking of subtle neurological signs and symptoms in such an overwhelming systemic disease.