Electroencephalogram base rhythm in AIDS patients

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 1993-06, Vol.51 (2), p.169-174
• Main Authors: do Prado, G F, da Silva, A B, Lima, J G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - physiopathology; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS (SIDA); AIDS Dementia Complex - physiopathology; AIDS/HIV; Alpha Rhythm; Beta Rhythm; Child; Delta Rhythm; EEG; Electroencephalography; Female; Humans; infecção por HIV; Male; Middle Aged; NEUROSCIENCES; PSYCHIATRY; ritmo de base
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/s0004-282x1993000200003

We studied the EEG of 73 patients diagnosed with HIV infection, with or without secondary complications. Sixty-eight belonged to CDC (Center for Disease Control) group IV and 38 presented signs or symptoms of encephalic neurological impairment. Rhythms constituting base activity were alpha (65.75%), beta (13.70%), theta (12.33%), and delta (8.22%). The alpha rhythm presented two modes: slow (8 to 9 Hz) in 25/48 or 52.08% of the cases and not-slow (> 9 to 13 Hz) in 23/48 or 47.92% of the cases. The alpha slow-mode has been observed in about 10 to 15% of the normal population, with the 8 Hz frequency being found in only 1% of the normal adult population, which suggests that in some manner HIV is implicated in the slowing-down of the EEG base rhythm in AIDS patients. The patients from CDC group IV with encephalic neurological involvement presented a base rhythm significantly lower than those with non-encephalic involvement or the absence of neurological impairment.