| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Abstract | | Title: Cortical synaptic density is reduced in mild to moderate HIV neurocognitive disorder. | | Authors: Everall I, Masliah E, Mallory M, Heaton R, Marcotte T, Ellis R, McCutchan J, Atkinson J, Grant I | | Year: 1998 | | Publication: Journal of NeuroVirology | | Volume: 4 Issue: Pages: 349 | | Abstract:Pyramidal neuronal loss and dendritic damage are associated with severe dementia in HIV infection. However, the neuropathological substrate of more common, mild to moderate cognitive deficits remains obscure. We assessed synaptic density, neuronal number, viral load, and degree of astrocytosis in post-mortem frontal cortical tissue from 18 patients with a wide range of ante-mortem levels of cognitive performance. Synaptic density correlated with neuropsychological performance, with a reduction in those individuals with cognitive impairments (r=0.55, p=0.019). Factor analysis of the neuropathological data revealed two factors; one was defined by synaptic density and volume fraction, calbindin pyramidal neuronal densities and viral burden; the second by astrocytosis and calbindin interneuron density. Only the first factor correlated significantly with neuropsychological functioning during life (r=0.62, p=0.006). A combination of factors including synaptic damage, specific neuronal loss and increasing viral load underlies HIV associated cognitive impairment. As synaptic damage is potentially reversible, early diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive disorders may improve functioning and prevent progression in brain disease. |
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