Abstract / Description of output
This study aims to investigate the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the neurodegenerative processes normally associated with ageing. We have looked for evidence of beta amyloid and hyperphosphorylated Tau deposition in HIV-infected subjects before and after the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). In addition we have looked for evidence of axonal damage. We have compared these HIV-positive cases with age-matched controls and with older non-demented controls. We find no evidence of significant premature beta amyloid deposition in HIV-infected cases; however, we do observe elevated levels of hyperphosphorylated Tau in the hippocampus of many HIV-infected subjects, compared with age-matched controls. The greatest levels of hyperphosphorylated Tau are noted in HAART-treated subjects. Axonal damage marked by expression of beta amyloid pre-cursor protein (BAPP) was highly variable in all groups including control subjects. We surmise that HIV infection and/or the use of anti-retroviral therapy may predispose to accelerated neuroageing in the form of hyperphosphorylated Tau deposition in the hippocampus. Within the age groups studied these significant neuropathological changes remained subclinical and were not yet associated with cognitive impairment.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Conference Proceedings: 33rd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 20-24 August 2008 |
Editors | M. Gething, B. Jones |
Place of Publication | Bondi |
Publisher | Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association |
Pages | 107-108 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780955410062 |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Event | 33rd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress - Dublin, Ireland Duration: 20 Aug 2008 → 24 Aug 2008 |
Conference
Conference | 33rd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress |
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Country/Territory | Ireland |
City | Dublin |
Period | 20/08/08 → 24/08/08 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Adult
- Aged
- Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
- Axons/pathology
- Brain/ pathology
- Brain Chemistry/ physiology
- Female
- HIV Infections/drug therapy/ metabolism/ pathology
- Hiv-1
- Hippocampus/pathology
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neurofibrillary Tangles/pathology
- Paraffin Embedding
- Pons/pathology
- Tissue Banks
- tau Proteins/ metabolism