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Efavirenz has now become commonly used to treat HIV infection. Neuropsychiatric disorders have been reported in patients treated with efavirenz. Several factors often make it hard to determine the cause of these disorders: HIV infected patients take many different drugs, they may suffer from various organ diseases, and may also be heavily affected by problems in their everyday life. The French experts group working on neuropsychiatric side effects of efavirenz has undertaken a review of these disorders with the aim to identify: (1) semiology, (2) epidemiology in the global population, in HIV infected patients, and in patients treated with efavirenz. The expert group suggests recommendations to manage these disorders.

There is an increasing incidence of neuro psychological impairment in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients. It is now recognized by certain authors as a 50 per cent (Nollet D. 88). This leads to increasing number of studies. As the AIDS epidemic continue psychiatrists have to become more familiar with this type of manifestations. Five cases of acute onset of neuropsychiatric syndrome are described and compared to an overview of literature. The connection with direct HIV brain involvement is discussed.