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Review
. 2014 Feb;34(1):27-34.
doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1372340. Epub 2014 Apr 8.

HIV and aging: effects on the central nervous system

Silvia Cañizares  1 , Mariana Cherner  2 , Ronald J Ellis  3
Affiliations
Review

HIV and aging: effects on the central nervous system

Silvia Cañizares et al. Semin Neurol. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, many human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) individuals are reaching advanced age. The proportion of people living with HIV older than 50 years already exceeds 50% in many communities, and is expected to reach this level nationally by 2015. HIV and aging are independently associated with neuropathological changes, but their concurrence may have a more deleterious effect on the central nervous system (CNS). Published data about neurocognitive and neuroimaging markers of HIV and aging are reviewed. Putative factors contributing to neurocognitive impairment and neuroimaging changes in the aging HIV+ brain, such as metabolic disturbances, cardiovascular risk factors, immune senescence, and neuroinflammation, are described. The possible relationship between HIV and some markers of Alzheimer's disease is presented. Current research findings emphasize multiple mechanisms related to HIV and combination antiretroviral therapy that compromise CNS structure and function with advancing age.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Interaction between age and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus on mean-scaled scores across a battery of neuropsychological tests. The gap between HIV+ and HIV− individuals increases with age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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