A meta-analysis of gray matter volume abnormalities in HIV patients

HIV infection is known to have significant effects on central nervous system. This study conducted a meta-analysis of whole voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in HIV patients (N = 435) and HIV-uninfected controls (N = 397). This study observed a reduction of limbic lobe, cingulate gyrus, frontal lobe, middle frontal gyrus, sub-lobar, insula, inferior frontal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus volume in HIV patients. These morphological differences may be responsible for cognitive decline in HIV patients, as these brain regions are closely related to motor and memory functions. These results contribute to a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying brain injury in HIV patients and could help develop targeted brain targets, provide more personalized treatment and predict neurodevelopmental outcomes.