title: Topological Organization of Whole-Brain White Matter in HIV Infection.
abstract: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with neuroimaging alterations. However, little is known about the topological organization of whole-brain networks and the corresponding association with cognition. As such, we examined structural whole-brain white matter connectivity patterns and cognitive performance in 29 HIV+ young adults (mean age = 25.9) with limited or no HIV treatment history. HIV+ participants and demographically similar HIV- controls (n = 16) residing in South Africa underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing. Structural network models were constructed using diffusion MRI-based multifiber tractography and T1-weighted MRI-based regional gray matter segmentation. Global network measures included whole-brain structural integration, connection strength, and structural segregation. Cognition was measured using a neuropsychological global deficit score (GDS) as well as individual cognitive domains. Results revealed that HIV+ participants exhibited significant disruptions to whole-brain networks, characterized by weaker structural integration (characteristic path length and efficiency), connection strength, and structural segregation (clustering coefficient) than HIV- controls (p < 0.05). GDSs and performance on learning/recall tasks were negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient (p < 0.05) in HIV+ participants. Results from this study indicate disruption to brain network integrity in treatment-limited HIV+ young adults with corresponding abnormalities in cognitive performance.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Saint Louis , Saint Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Laurie M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis , Saint Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.affiliation: 3 Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Ryan P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Cabeen
authors.affiliation: 4 Computer Science Department, Brown University , Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Laidlaw
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa .
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Joska
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa .
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoare
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa .|6 MRC Unit on Anxiety & Stress Disorders , Cape Town, South Africa .
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.affiliation: 7 Missouri Institute of Mental Health , St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Jodi M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Heaps-Woodruff
authors.affiliation: 3 Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Salminen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Saint Louis , Saint Louis, Missouri.|7 Missouri Institute of Mental Health , St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; cognition; network analysis; whole-brain connectivity