Characteristics of Resting-State Functional Connectivity in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) can occur in patients without prior AIDS defining illness and can be debilitating. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in the patterns of intrinsic brain activity between patients with or without HAND for deepening our understanding of HAND.



We evaluated 24 HIV-infected individuals, 12 with previously diagnosed HAND and 12 previously diagnosed without HAND, and 11 seronegative individuals. These individuals then underwent repeat NP testing and a functional brain MRI scan. For functional MRI analysis, seed-based analysis with bilateral precuneus cortex seed was applied.



Among the 12 individuals with previously diagnosed HAND, 3 showed improvement of their neurocognitive function and 1 was excluded for worsening liver disease. Among the 12 patients who previously had normal neurocognitive function, 2 showed neurocognitive impairment. Overall, the HAND group, who had impaired cognitive function at the time of MRI scan, showed significant decrease of resting status functional connectivity between bilateral precuneus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) compared with nonHAND group, those who had normal neurocognitive function (Corrected P<0.05). The functional connectivity with the right inferior frontal operculum and right superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with memory and learning ability.



This cross-sectional study found a significant difference in fMRI patterns between patients with and without HAND. Decreased functional connectivity between precuneus and PFC could be possible functional substrate for cognitive dysfunction in HIV patients, which should be characterized in a longitudinal study.
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Hea Won
0000-0003-3170-0109
HW
Ann
Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Suhnyoung
S
Jun
Department of Radiology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Na-Young
NY
Shin
Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
Sanghoon
S
Han
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Jin Young
JY
Ahn
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Mi Young
MY
Ahn
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Yong Duk
YD
Jeon
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
In Young
IY
Jung
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Moo Hyun
MH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Woo Yong
WY
Jeong
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Nam Su
NS
Ku
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
June Myung
JM
Kim
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America.|Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States of America.
Davey M
DM
Smith
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Department of AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Jun Yong
JY
Choi
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063132:Connectome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests