title: Neuroimaging markers of human immunodeficiency virus infection in South Africa.
abstract: Previous studies have reported cognitive deficits among HIV-positive individuals infected with clade C virus. However, no study has examined whether individuals predominately infected with clade C virus exhibit brain atrophy relative to healthy controls. This study examined volumetric differences between 28 HIV+ individuals and 23 HIV- controls from South Africa. Volumetric measures were obtained from six regions of interest -- caudate, thalamus, corpus callosum, total cortex, total gray matter, and total white matter. HIV+ participants had significantly lower volumes in the total white matter (p<0.01), thalamus (p<0.01) and total gray matter (inclusive of cortical and subcortical regions, p<0.01). This study is the first to provide evidence of brain atrophy among HIV+ individuals in South Africa, where HIV clade C predominates. Additional research that integrates neuroimaging, comprehensive neuropsychological testing, genetic variance in clade-specific proteins, and the impact of treatment with Antiretrovirals (ARV) are necessary to understand the development of HIV-related neurocognitive disorders in South Africa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 63121, USA. paulro@umsl.edu
authors.forename: Jodi M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Heaps
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joska
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoare
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Aleena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Soraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seedat
authors.forename: Beau M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ances
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009929:Organ Size; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents