Electroencephalography in AIDS and AIDS-Related Complex

Abstract

EEG records from 47 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC) were reviewed retrospectively to correlate EEG findings with neurologic abnormalities. Abnormal EEGs were found in 22 of 33 (67%) patients with AIDS and 5 of 14 (36%) patients with ARC. Among 27 patients with abnormal EEGs, there were 9 patients with dementia, 10 with opportunistic infections of the CNS, and 6 with no apparent neurologic disease. AIDS dementia was associated with intermittent or continuous slowing, often most prominent anteriorly. Focal slowing or sharp activity was usually found in patients who had focal CNS processes, such as cerebral toxoplasmosis and CNS lymphoma. These findings suggest the EEG can be a useful diagnostic test for evaluating patients with AIDS and ARC, particularly when these patients present with seizures, psychiatric symptoms, or cognitive dysfunction. The significance of abnormal EEGs in patients who are neurologically asymptomatic is unknown.