Apoptosis is a cell suicide program that is believed to have a healthy function until it is set off by a disease process such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease, in which it has been implicated. Apoptosis is also a cause of immune cell death in AIDS, raising the possibility that HIV-related damage to the immune system and nervous system may share common mechanisms.  

Apoptosis is activated by certain cell proteins and genes, some of which have been identified. Recent studies have identified drugs that can block specific steps in the cell suicide program, providing hope that inhibiting nerve cell apoptosis may be a potential therapeutic approach for AIDS dementia and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. The human brain cell culture model developed in our laboratory may therefore be a useful tool for discovering drugs that can prevent HIV-induced nerve cell suicide.

www.med.harvard.edu/publications/On_The_Brain/Volume5/Number1/AIDS.html

 http://www.zarcrom.com/users/alzheimers/odem/aids2.html