Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a virus that attacks the body's ability to fight disease. AIDS allows your body to become a host to several types of illnesses or diseases, because your immune system has been ravaged by the virus. You are more likely to develop cancer or not be able to fight off pneumonia (Mayo Clinic). Research has even found that the AIDS virus will attack the brain.
Brain Tissue Loss
A study conducted by UCLA/University of Pittsburgh found that the AIDS virus attacks the parts of the brain that deal with motor, language and sensory functions. Because of the loss of brain tissue, a person with the AIDS virus begins to have symptoms of impaired motor coordination or slowed reflexes. A 15 percent loss of brain tissue was noted in the study (Science Daily). As the AIDS virus progresses, the tissue loss can result in worse conditions, such as Alzheimer's or dementia.
Attacks Brain Barrier
According to a report conducted by The New England Journal of Medicine, the virus (HIV) that leads to AIDS can invade the brain, and lie in wait. The brain has a natural blood-brain barrier that prevents it from being attacked by diseases (Schmeck, NY Times). However the AIDS virus creates infected cells that produce nitric oxide. The nitric oxide is able to invade this barrier, which allows the virus to get into the brain (Dr. Fox, The Scripps Research Institute). The AIDS virus will create a host of new problems, such as meningitis, which can attack the membranes of the brain.
Encephalitis
AIDS makes it more likely that a person infected with the virus can develop encephalitis. Encephalitis can be brought on by toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection created by a parasite. Once toxoplasmosis leads to encephalitis, the brain will become infected (Mayo Clinic). The brain will begin to become inflamed, and a host of symptoms can occur, such as hallucinations, visual disturbances, paralysis, muscle loss and in rare cases, death.
Dementia
One in 3 people who suffer from the AIDS virus will develop dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). As the AIDS virus begins to advance, the brain's ability to function becomes worse. Mental functions begin to rapidly decrease, and even behavior becomes modified (including mood swings or irritability).
Other Effects
In general, the effects of AIDS on the brain can include confusion, forgetfulness, depression, anxiety and even neurological complications (Mayo Clinic). While the AIDS virus can attack the body's ability to fight disease, these issues can be addressed with medication. However, in the case of the brain, the brain seems immune to the drugs created to fight the virus (Dr. Thompson, UCLA). No amount of medication can slow down the process of eradicated tissue, and drugs can't always penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
Future
Scientists hope to one day be able to create a medication that can prevent AIDS from infecting the brain. One way would be through creating a drug that could prevent the virus from entering through the blood-brain barrier. If a medication could be created to prevent abnormalities from occurring within the brain, the quality of life could be extended.
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