title: Prefrontal cortical volume loss is associated with stress-related deficits in verbal learning and memory in HIV-infected women.
abstract: Deficits in verbal learning and memory are a prominent feature of neurocognitive function in HIV-infected women, and are associated with high levels of perceived stress. To understand the neurobiological factors contributing to this stress-related memory impairment, we examined the association between stress, verbal memory, and brain volumes in HIV-infected women. Participants included 38 HIV-infected women (Mean age=43.9years) from the Chicago Consortium of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and completed standardized measures of verbal learning and memory and stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10; PSS-10). Brain volumes were evaluated in a priori regions of interest, including the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Compared to HIV-infected women with lower stress (PSS-10 scores in lower two tertiles), HIV-infected women with higher stress (scores in the top tertile), performed worse on measures of verbal learning and memory and showed smaller volumes bilaterally in the parahippocampal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and inferior frontal gyrus (p's<0.05). Reduced volumes in the inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus (all right hemisphere) were negatively associated with verbal learning and memory performance. Prefrontal cortical atrophy is associated with stress-related deficits in verbal learning and memory in HIV-infected women. The time course of these volume losses in relation to memory deficits has yet to be elucidated, but the magnitude of the volumetric differences between women with higher versus lower stress suggests a prolonged vulnerability due to chronic stress and/or early life trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States. Electronic address: lrubin@psych.uic.edu.
authors.forename: Leah H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States; Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.
authors.forename: Vanessa J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Rhoda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: J Conant
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Einstein Aging Study, Bronx, NYC, United States.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Sundermann
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Minjie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: The Core Center, Cook County Health and Hospital System and Hektoen Institute of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: The Core Center, Cook County Health and Hospital System and Hektoen Institute of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States; Departments of Medicine, Stroger Hospital and Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Mardge H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, United States; Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, United States.
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Pauline M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Maki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009929:Organ Size; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013067:Speech Perception; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: Brain volume; HIV; Memory; Stress; Women