CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT IN HIV INFECTION

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in HIV infection is one of the most serious and commonly encountered neurological complications in HIV-positive individuals. The human immunodeficiency virus can penetrate nervous system cells at the early stages of infection, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations—from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia, as well as opportunistic infections and malignancies. The most common CNS-related conditions associated with HIV include HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), cerebral toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) play a crucial role in the prevention and management of these conditions. This paper discusses the main clinical forms, mechanisms of CNS involvement, diagnostic methods, and current treatment strategies for neurological complications of HIV infection.