HIV affects the nervous system producing different clinical symptoms, being the neuropsychological impairment one of the most common. Histopathological changes due to HIV are found in up to 25% of autopsies. Currently it is considered that HIV-associated dementia is the most common cause of dementia in people less than 40 years. The diagnosis of this entity is important because it considers the HIV-associated demntia defining illness of AIDS, also its presence definitely influence adherence to treatment and has been observed that the trend could be reversed with the use of antiretroviral drugs. The study and monitoring of these patients should be based on the clinical observation, neuropsychological analysis and the use of neuroimaging. We present the case of a patient with dementia syndrome associated with HIV studied by clinical observation, neuropsychological assessment and neuroimaging. Emphasis is placed on the pathopsysiology of this disorder, the importance of proper diagnosis and the use of antiretroviral therapy.

HIV/aids; dementia; HIV associated dementia; HAD; HAART