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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

A Rat Model of EcoHIV Brain Infection
Published on: January 21, 2021
HIV proviral DNA associated with decreased neuropsychological function
Bruce Shiramizu1, Robert Paul, Andrew Williams
1University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawaii AIDS Clinical Research Program, 3675 Kilauea Avenue, Young Building, 5th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA. bshirami@hawaii.edu
Abstract:
The authors previously found a strong association between elevated HIV proviral DNA (HIV DNA) and a diagnosis of HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD) vs. normal cognition. It is unclear whether HIV DNA globally affects the diagnosis of HAD or whether the effect is limited to individual neuropsychological deficits. This exploratory study examined baseline HIV DNA and its association with individual neuropsychological deficits. HIV DNA was significantly associated with baseline neuropsychological deficits independent of age, ethnicity, IQ, and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. However, HIV DNA did not predict future changes in neuropsychological deficits. The data suggest that HIV DNA and neuropsychological deficits may co-vary over time.
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