HIV-Related Cognitive Dysfunction: Implications for Aging and Social Work.

Vance, David E.; Cody, Shameka L.; Batey, Scott D.

Half of adults with HIV experience HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND). HIV infects microglial and macrophages in the brain, resulting in a neurotoxic environment that inhibits the function of neurons, thus impairing cognition. Social workers require an understanding of how HIV-related cognitive dysfunction develops within the larger context of mental illness, substance use, and socioeconomic status. This article briefly reviews the clinical diagnosis of HAND and some interrelated neurobiological and psychosocial factors. Research implications for improving cognition are important as one considers: (1) The impact of the aging process on cognition and (2) the growing number of older adults with HIV.

HIV infections & psychology; HIV infection complications; AGING; ATTENTION; BRAIN; COGNITION; COGNITION disorders; DRUG toxicity; ECOLOGY; ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY; EXERCISE; HIV; HIV infections; IMMUNE system; INTELLECT; MEMORY; MENTAL illness; NEUROBIOLOGY; SOCIAL case work; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; SUBSTANCE abuse; COMORBIDITY; HIGHLY active antiretroviral therapy; ANTI-HIV agents; PREVENTION

Social Work in Mental Health, 2015, Vol 13, Issue 6, p553

1533-2985

Academic Journal

10.1080/15332985.2014.984888