HIV Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Brain Function in Patients Receiving Anti-HIV Drugs

The purpose of this study is to see whether anti-HIV drugs that reduce HIV in the blood also reduce HIV in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid found around the brain and spinal cord. This study also looks at whether reducing HIV in the CSF can help protect brain function. HIV can be detected in the brain and CSF early in HIV disease. Anti-HIV drugs probably reduce HIV in the CSF. This may be important because other studies have suggested high CSF HIV levels may lead to some loss of brain function.