Introduction What is the difference between HIV infection and AIDS? Evaluating your health status Phase 1 - Primo-infection Phase 2 – Seropositive without symptoms Phase 3 – Seropositive with symptoms Phase 4 – AIDS Will I necessarily progress through all phases? What are CD4 cells? What is the viral load? When should I start medications to treat HIV (antiretrovirals)? How does anti-HIV treatment work? Why is it necessary to take several medications at the same time? What are the different types of antiretrovirals? How to choose the best combination of medications? How do I know if my treatment is working? Why are treatments unable to completely erradicate HIV from the body? What are the potential side-effects of antiretrovirals? Why is it sometimes necessary to change the medications in my triple therapy? What is medication resistance? What can I do to avoid resistance? Treatment adherence means: Can alternative or naturopathic/homeopathic therapies assist me in managing my HIV infection? Will I need to take medications for the rest of my life? What can I do to stay in good health? Condom breaks or tears? —Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV and Depression HIV and Aging HIV and Neurocognitive Disorders KASA (Kaletra Adherance and Support Assistance)Program Links and References

Neuropsychology in Brief

History of neuropsychology

Soviet psychologist Alexander Luria (902-1977) coined the term “neuropsychology” in the 1950s. This psychological approach was first used on patients suffering from pathologies affecting the brain. According to Henri Hécaen, neuropsychology is a discipline that looks at superior mental functions as they relate to the brain’s structure.

Superior mental functions are, by analogy with a computer tower, the material (hard drive, memory card, wiring, etc.) that makes it possible for people to hear, listen, perform tasks, carry out projects, drive a car, play a musical instrument, experience emotions, learn new information, etc. In neuropsychology, all these are processes that pertain to neurology, cognitive functions, affect, personality and mental development.

1. Neurological aspects (e.g., haemorrhage, stroke, tumour, etc.)
2. Cognitive functions:
   
   1. Attention span (ability to reach a sufficient level of alertness to be capable of concentrating in a variety of situations). For example: I find it difficult to concentrate.
   2. Executive functions (process necessary for all behaviour that is autonomous and adapted to new or complex situations). For example: Going to do grocery shopping, driving a car.
   3. Mnestic functions (memory of facts, the knowledge or skills accumulated over the years). For example: I forgot where I parked my car; what was I coming to look for in the kitchen?
   4. Perception and orientation (representation and analysis of form, colour, depth, distance and the orientation of objects as well as their relationship in space). For example: perceiving one's environment.
   5. Motor skills (organization and control of body movements). For example: handling objects, drying one's hair, cutting vegetables.
   6. Language (ability to understand and to express an idea by writing or speaking).
3. Affect (emotions, depression, anxiety, etc.)
4. Personality (dependent, obsessional, narcissistic, borderline, antisocial, etc.)
5. Development, both normal and abnormal, of an individual.

To arrive at an understanding of these processes, the neuropsychologist uses tests that have been previously administered to people of different ages, genders and cultures. These tests are designed in such a way as to take into account education level and sometimes the environment (rural versus urban). The goal of the neuropsychologist is to find people’s strengths and weaknesses.

Classification of HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)

There are three possible diagnoses:

Research on HIV and aging in QC — 2013

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