Brain Imaging for HIV-Associated Thinking and Mood Disorders

With combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS has been transformed from a progressive, usually fatal infection to a manageable chronic condition. Yet, HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) pose a significant clinical problem, even among patients with controlled HIV viremia. There is evidence of accelerated vascular aging and other vascular disorders in HIV-infected (HIV+) people, and studies suggest an association between vascular disorders and unfavorable neurocognitive outcomes. Thus, one possible contributing factor to the high rates of HANDs and depression could be vascular dysfunction, similar to vascular depression and vascular dementia that occur in elderly non-HIV+ individuals. One commonly used diagnostic marker of vasculopathy is thickening of the vessel wall. Multiple studies have already established the correlation between vessel wall thickening and vascular disease manifestations. This prospective observational study aims to examine the relationships between neurocognitive and depression outcomes and vessel wall thickness as a marker of vascular disease in HIV+ adults. We will be using neuropsychological testing, brain imaging, blood biomarkers, and state-of-the-art high-resolution MR imaging of the carotid vessel walls. HIV infected patients (n=40) and HIV-negative controls (n=40) will be recruited. Participants who consent to longitudinal follow-up will be followed for two years with clinical evaluations every 6 months and repeat imaging studies at 12 and 24 months. Cross sectional data analysis will compare markers of vascular and neurocognitive disorders between HIV-infected and HIV-negative participants. The longitudinal data analysis will assess and compare the temporal progression of vascular disease (imaging and blood biomarker findings) in relation to changes in neurocognitive and depression scores in both groups.