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Published on: January 22, 2016
HIV and chronic methamphetamine dependence affect cerebral blood flow
Beau M Ances1, Florin Vaida, Mariana Cherner
1Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Ave, Box 08111, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. bances@wustl.edu
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and methamphetamine (METH) dependence independently impact brain blood flow. While neither condition interacted, both HIV and METH history altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the lenticular nuclei.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and methamphetamine (METH) dependence are independently linked to neuronal dysfunction.
- Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neuronal activity coupling is fundamental to functional neuroimaging.
- The lenticular nuclei (LN) are critical brain structures potentially affected by these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of HIV infection and a history of METH dependence on CBF within the LN.
- To determine if HIV and METH dependence interact to influence CBF.
- To explore CBF as a potential biomarker for chronic neurobiological effects.
Main Methods:
- Functional neuroimaging using a finger tapping paradigm in four participant groups: HIV-/METH-, HIV-/METH+, HIV+/METH-, and HIV+/METH+.
- Multiple regression analysis of covariance to assess associations and interactions between CBF, HIV serostatus, and METH dependence history.
- Analysis focused on baseline CBF and task-related CBF changes in the LN.
Main Results:
- HIV+ individuals showed a trend towards lower baseline CBF and significantly greater task-related CBF changes compared to HIV- individuals.
- Individuals with a history of METH dependence exhibited lower baseline CBF and significantly greater task-related CBF changes.
- No significant interaction was found between HIV serostatus and METH dependence history on either baseline or task-related CBF.
- CBF and LN volume were not correlated.
Conclusions:
- HIV infection and METH dependence history appear to have additive effects on CBF, with METH dependence potentially having a larger contribution.
- Abnormalities in CBF within the LN may serve as a surrogate marker for assessing the chronic neurological impact of HIV and METH dependence.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these CBF alterations.
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