[Cognitive evoked potentials and HIV infection].

Endogenous event-related potentials (and especially the P300 component) have delayed latencies relative to normal controls in patients with dementias of diverse aetiologies. Moreover, the subcortical varieties of dementia tend to affect also the early-stage N1 and P2 components whereas both types of dementias affect the later-stage N2 and P3 components. However it has become obvious that patients with HIV infection are susceptible to develop progressive, AIDS-related dementia, renamed 'HIV encephalopathy' by the Center for Disease Control. Several studies have shown that endogenous, but also early, components of long latency auditory evoked potentials are prolonged in latency in HIV-demented patients. However, these changes may also be present in class II and III patients and may permit the early recognition of HIV encephalopathy.