HIV dementia link

A link between a subtype of HIV and a higher chance of developing dementia has been identified by scientists.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine revealed that people infected with subtype D may be more likely to suffer from the mental problem.

The study suggested for the first time that specific HIV types can have an impact upon cognitive impairment.

Writing in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, professor Ned Sacktor from the institution explained that this could have enormous repercussions in Africa in particular.

"We were amazed to see such a dramatic difference in dementia frequencies between these two subtypes," he said.

"If this is the case in all of sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-associated dementia may be one of the most common, but thus far unrecognized, dementias worldwide."

Subtypes A, C and D are the most common forms of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of cases are found.

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