Molecular and biological mechanisms in the development of AIDS dementia complex (ADC)

Abstract

A subacute encephalitis, termed AIDS dementia complex (ADC), which involves the infection of the central nervous system and afflicts up to 50% of adult HIV-infected individuals, can culminate in dementia, paralysis and death. Although a number of possible mechanisms for ADC have been proposed, the actual reasons for the pathogenesis of ADC in adults and progressive encephalopathy in infants and children still remain poorly understood. The aim of the present review is to shed some light on the most recent developments which may provide insights into plausible molecular and biological mechanisms involved in neuropathogenesis caused by HIV.