Factors affecting brain structure in men with HIV disease in the post-HAART era

James T. Becker, Victoria Maruca, Lawrence A. Kingsley, Joanne M. Sanders, Jeffery R. Alger, Peter B. Barker, Karl Goodkin, Eileen Martin, Eric N. Miller, Ann Ragin, Ned Sacktor, Ola Selnes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of this study was to characterize brain volumetric differences in HIV seropositive and seronegative men and to determine effects of age, cardiovascular risk, and HIV infection on structural integrity. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging was used to acquire high-resolution neuroanatomic data in 160 men aged 50 years and over, including 84 HIV seropositive and 76 seronegative controls. Voxel-based morphometry was used to derive volumetric measurements at the level of the individual voxel. Data from a detailed neuropsychological test battery were recombined into four summary scores representing psychomotor speed, visual memory, verbal memory, and verbal fluency. Results Both age and HIV status had a significant effect on both gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume. The age-related GM atrophy was primarily in the superior temporal and inferior frontal regions; the HIV-related GM loss included the posterior and inferior temporal lobes, the parietal lobes, and the cerebellum. Among all subjects, the performance on neuropsychological tests, as indexed by a summary variable, was related to the volume of both the GM andWM. Contrary to our predictions, the CVD variables were not linked to brain volume in statistically adjusted models. Conclusion In the post-HAART era, having HIV infection is still linked to atrophy in both GM and WM. Secondly, advancing age, even in this relatively young cohort, is also linked to changes in GM and WM volume. Thirdly, CNS structural integrity is associated with overall cognitive functions, regardless of the HIV infection status of the study volunteers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)113-121
Number of pages9
JournalNeuroradiology
Volume54
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012

Keywords

  • Age
  • Cognition
  • HIV
  • MRI
  • Voxel-based morphometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Factors affecting brain structure in men with HIV disease in the post-HAART era'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this