HIV Infection Linked with Significant Aging-Related Neurocognitive Impairment

Advanced stages of HIV were associated with aging-related neurocognitive impairment among men infected with the virus, according to a recent study.

In their study, researchers analyzed longitudinal data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study using data from 5068 men who have sex with men, of which 2278 were HIV-seropositive and 2808 were HIV-seronegative. The effects of aging, HIV infection by disease stage, and their interaction on information processing speed, executive function, episodic memory, working memory, and motor function were assessed.
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In a-priori multivariate analysis that controlled for comorbidities and time since seroconversion, the researchers found significant and direct negative effects of aging in all neurocognitive domains. Late stage HIV disease progression showed similar effects on information processing speed, executive function, motor function, and working memory. Likewise, deleterious interaction effects were found in episodic memory and motor function domains.

“A greater than expected effect of aging on episodic memory and motor function with advanced stages of HIV infection suggests that these two domains are most susceptible to the progression of neurocognitive impairment caused by aging in individuals with HIV,” the researchers concluded. “This deficit pattern suggests differential damage to the hippocampus and basal ganglia (specifically nigrostriatal pathways).”

“Older individuals with HIV infection should be targeted for regular screening for HIV-associate neurocognitive disorder, particularly with tests referable to the episodic memory and motor domains.”

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Goodkin K, Miller EN, Cox C, et al. Effect of ageing on neurocognitive function by stage of HIV infection: evidence from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study [published online July 14, 2017]. LANCET HIV. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(17)30098-X.