title: Physical Activity Affects Brain Integrity in HIV+ Individuals.
abstract: Prior research has suggested benefits of aerobic physical activity (PA) on cognition and brain volumes in HIV uninfected (HIV-) individuals, however, few studies have explored the relationships between PA and brain integrity (cognition and structural brain volumes) in HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals. Seventy HIV+ individuals underwent neuropsychological testing, structural neuroimaging, laboratory tests, and completed a PA questionnaire, recalling participation in walking, running, and jogging activities over the last year. A PA engagement score of weekly metabolic equivalent (MET) hr of activity was calculated using a compendium of PAs. HIV+ individuals were classified as physically active (any energy expended above resting expenditure, n=22) or sedentary (n=48). Comparisons of neuropsychological performance, grouped by executive and motor domains, and brain volumes were completed between groups. Physically active and sedentary HIV+ individuals had similar demographic and laboratory values, but the active group had higher education (14.0 vs. 12.6 years, p=.034). Physically active HIV+ individuals performed better on executive (p=.040, unadjusted; p=.043, adjusted) but not motor function (p=.17). In addition, among the physically active group the amount of physical activity (METs) positively correlated with executive (Pearson's r=0.45, p=0.035) but not motor (r=0.21; p=.35) performance. In adjusted analyses the physically active HIV+ individuals had larger putamen volumes (p=.019). A positive relationship exists between PA and brain integrity in HIV+ individuals. Results from the present study emphasize the importance to conduct longitudinal interventional investigation to determine if PA improves brain integrity in HIV+ individuals.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neurology,Washington University in St. Louis,St. Louis,Missouri.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3533-3185
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Psychology,University of Missouri,St. Louis,Missouri.
authors.forename: Laurie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Medicine,University of California,San Diego,California.
authors.forename: Florin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vaida
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Psychology,University of Missouri,St. Louis,Missouri.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neurology,Washington University in St. Louis,St. Louis,Missouri.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basco
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neurology,Washington University in St. Louis,St. Louis,Missouri.
authors.forename: Beau M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ances
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Brain volume; Exercise; HIV; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Neuropsychology performance; Putamen