HIV infection and aging independently affect brain function as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging

J Infect Dis. 2010 Feb 1;201(3):336-40. doi: 10.1086/649899.

Abstract

We investigated the interactions between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and aging and their effects on brain function demands by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A multiple-regression model was used to study the association and interaction between fMRI measures, HIV serostatus, and age for 26 HIV-infected subjects and 25 seronegative subjects. Although HIV serostatus and age independently affected fMRI measures, no interaction occurred. Functional brain demands in HIV-positive subjects were equivalent to those of HIV-negative subjects who were 15-20 years older. Frailty parallels between HIV infection and aging could result from continued immunological challenges depleting resources and triggering increased metabolic demands. In the future, fMRI could be a noninvasive biomarker to assess HIV infection in the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult