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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Mapping white matter integrity in elderly people with HIV
Talia M Nir1, Neda Jahanshad, Edgar Busovaca
1Imaging Genetics Center, Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
Human Brain Mapping
|January 31, 2013
Summary
Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) allows people with HIV to live longer. However, HIV infection still causes white matter (WM) damage in the brain, impacting cognitive function even in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Chronic HIV infection leads to neurological deficits and brain atrophy, even with effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).
- White matter (WM) pathway integrity declines in HIV, with limited research on older populations where aging effects may compound HIV-related changes.
- Understanding WM integrity in aging HIV+ individuals is crucial for characterizing neurocognitive decline patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter (WM) fiber integrity abnormalities in older adults with HIV receiving cART.
- To compare WM integrity between HIV+ individuals and age-matched healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- To examine the association between WM integrity and neuropsychological (NP) performance in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess WM fiber integrity in 56 HIV+ adults (mean age 63.9 years) and 31 healthy controls (mean age 65.4 years).
- Statistical 3D mapping analyzed fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity to identify differences related to HIV diagnosis and age.
- Neuropsychological (NP) summary z-scores were correlated with WM integrity measures.
Main Results:
- HIV+ individuals exhibited widespread decreases in FA and increases in diffusivity throughout WM compared to controls.
- No significant interaction between age and HIV diagnosis was found regarding WM integrity.
- WM integrity measures were associated with NP summary scores in both HIV+ individuals and controls.
- The most pronounced differences were observed in the corpus callosum and corona radiata projection fibers.
Conclusions:
- HIV infection, even with cART, is associated with significant white matter (WM) abnormalities in older adults.
- These WM deficits correlate with cognitive function and are consistent with observed cortical atrophy patterns.
- The findings highlight the persistent impact of HIV on brain structure and function in aging populations.
