Psychiatric complications in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with psychiatric complications, including cognitive impairment, affective disorders, and psychosis. These psychiatric complications impair quality of life, affect disease prognosis, and impede treatment by compromising medication adherence. They also increase the likelihood of HIV transmission, either directly or via their high prevalence rate among drug abusers. In this article, the authors provide a brief overview of the most common psychiatric complications associated with HIV infection and discuss the role of dopamine as a link between psychiatric manifestations and the progression of immunodeficiency infection.