Psychophysiology and neurophysiology of HIV infection

Abstract

Neurophysiological and psychophysiological techniques are reviewed in their ability to detect nervous system involvement in HIV disease. Following a brief description of these techniques (computerized electroencephalo-graphy, multimodal evoked potentials, cognitive event-related potentials) findings in early and advanced stages of the disease are reported and their relation to results of neuropsychological testing are discussed. Neurophysiological techniques show evidence of progressive, commonly subclinical, changes in the nervous system of asymptomatic patients with the tendency of further deterioration in symptomatic stages. The prospective value of these findings has yet to be established. Psychophysiological techniques, like event-related potentials, are shown to be sensitive to subclinical cognitive change. Electrophysiological techniques, in general, could help to monitor effects of antiviral treatment on brain functioning.