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. 2012 Jun;18(3):151-6.
doi: 10.1007/s13365-012-0090-5. Epub 2012 Apr 12.

Neuroimaging markers of human immunodeficiency virus infection in South Africa

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Neuroimaging markers of human immunodeficiency virus infection in South Africa

Jodi M Heaps et al. J Neurovirol. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Previous studies have reported cognitive deficits among HIV-positive individuals infected with clade C virus. However, no study has examined whether individuals predominately infected with clade C virus exhibit brain atrophy relative to healthy controls. This study examined volumetric differences between 28 HIV+ individuals and 23 HIV- controls from South Africa. Volumetric measures were obtained from six regions of interest -- caudate, thalamus, corpus callosum, total cortex, total gray matter, and total white matter. HIV+ participants had significantly lower volumes in the total white matter (p<0.01), thalamus (p<0.01) and total gray matter (inclusive of cortical and subcortical regions, p<0.01). This study is the first to provide evidence of brain atrophy among HIV+ individuals in South Africa, where HIV clade C predominates. Additional research that integrates neuroimaging, comprehensive neuropsychological testing, genetic variance in clade-specific proteins, and the impact of treatment with Antiretrovirals (ARV) are necessary to understand the development of HIV-related neurocognitive disorders in South Africa.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Is a 3D representation of the subcortical segmentations obtained from freesurefer. Red is the segmentation of the corpus callosum, Blue represents the caudate, and green represents the thalamus
Figure 2
Figure 2
Boxplots of the volumes for each group with significant group differences noted. The dark lines in the boxes represent the mean values for the volumes of the groups (HIV+ and controls) in each region a) Total Thalamus (p<0.01) b) Total Gray Matter (p<0.01) c) Total White Matter (p<.01)

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