The majority of HIV infected patients exhibit central nervous system disorders. The most severe is dementia, which is the most common cause of non-traumatic dementia in young patients. It may affect the progression of the disease, compromising the adherence of treatment and increasing the mortality rate.

Report of a clinical case of dementia due to HIV infection in a 33-year-old male patient, admitted in the Acute Inpatient Unit of the Psychiatry and Mental Health Department in Baixo Vouga Hospital Centre.

The results were gathered based on the clinical history of the patient, his objective exam, diagnostic exams and family information and from medical research included on PubMed and Google Scholar platforms.

The patient presented evident cognitive deterioration with memory loss, attention and concentration deficits, apathy, indifference, psychomotor retardation and behavioral changes in the past few weeks, with a significant impact in his life. The patient did supplementary diagnostic tests, which showed progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and global and diffuse cortical atrophy involving the fronto-temporal regions and a neuropsychological assessment whose results confirmed a moderate cognitive deficit. During the hospitalization there was a positive stabilization of behavior with antiretroviral therapy and antipsychotics.

The lack of knowledge about the factors that predispose dementia in HIV patients is a relevant limitation nowadays. The clinical effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy has improved in recent years with a reduction in the prevalence of HIV dementia, which now is estimated at 10%.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.