May 14, 2008

Does HIV Affect Memory and Thinking?

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) are studying the potential cognitive impacts HIV may have on people over 60, according to the Bay Area Reporter (ebar.com, 5/8).

"We'd like to know if [HIV positive people] are likely to have more problems with memory and thinking, and if they are, why?" said Dr. Victor Valcour, adjunct clinical instructor at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center.

According to the article, HIV and the medications that treat it may cause insulin resistance, which could lead to diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, can lead to changes in brain function that cause cognitive problems, as can other metabolic diseases.

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Previous Comments:

geostud, , 2008-05-16 21:49:04
Maybe this explains why I keep forgetting to take my medications...

Patrick, Olympia, Wa, 2008-05-16 11:01:32
"HIV and the medications that treat it may cause insulin resistance" This statement bothers me. My understanding is that it is the "cure" and not the virus that impacts us so badly.

Dale, California, 2008-05-16 02:06:58
I know HIV or the meds has affeted cognative abilities. The difficulty is getting my MD to believe it. Poz for 20 yrs and on meds the entire time. I also suffer from depression since 4 yrs after hiv diagnosis. They attribute it to depression. Think they have it backwards.

David, Richmond, 2008-05-15 16:49:00
I have been poz for 23 years, fortunate in that meds have always become available for the to take the next step, but between time living with HIV, meds and the psych impact with the whole terminal issue has left mental scars and I believe memory is impacted as well. Have questioned the memory impact for about the last 7 to 10 years, but keep persevering cuz I can for now!

Chris, Seattle, 2008-05-15 12:47:13
I've been telling my doctor for years now that hiv has affected my memory. And I'm only 40! Although the "60" threshold is kind of a "toe in the water" approach to this problem, it is a start.