Comparison of Rates of Impairment Between Three Sets of Normative Data for Spanish-speakers of Mexican Origin in a Healthy Cohort

Objective

With over 37 million Spanish-speakers, the US is the second country in the world with the largest number of Spanish-speakers. Identification of neurological dysfunction via neuropsychological testing for this language group requires knowledgeable application of available tests and normative data. Accordingly, we investigated whether rates of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) varied based on the Spanish language normative method used.

Method

Participants included 254 healthy native Spanish-speakers (Age: M = 37.3, SD = 10.4; Education: M = 10.7, SD = 4.3; 59% Female; 78.7% of known Mexican origin/descent) living in the US-Mexico border region. Participants completed the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R), Trail Making Test (TMT) A&B, and Animal Naming in Spanish. Raw test scores were converted to demographically-adjusted T-scores based on normative adjustments developed for this population (Neuropsychological Norms for the US-Mexico Border Region in Spanish [NP-NUMBRS]) and norms developed based on samples in Mexico (Latin American Norms from Mexico [LAN-M] and NEUROPSI). Rates of NCI (T < 40) based on the different normative methods were compared via McNemar’s tests.

Results

Rates of NCI for NP-NUMBRS and NEUROPSI fell between the expected 15-17%. Compared to NP-NUMBRS, significantly lower rates were found when applying LAN-M for HVLT-R Total (4%) and Delayed Recall (8%), TMT-A (1%), and Animal Naming (10%; all ps < .0002). No significant differences were found for TMT-B (p > .05).

Conclusions

Present findings revealed that while the NP-NUMBRS and NEUROPSI norms yielded similar NCI rates, and LAN-M norms underestimated NCI on three tests. This highlights the importance of carefully considering available normative adjustments for Spanish-speakers when applying them to specific populations.

Plasma CXCL10 correlates with HAND in HIV-infected women

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by chronic immune activation. We aimed to identify biomarkers associated with HAND and to investigate their association with cognitive function and sex, in a homogenous cohort of HIV-infected (HIV+) young adults, parenterally infected during early childhood. One hundred forty-four HIV+ Romanian participants (51% women) without major confounders underwent standardized neurocognitive and medical evaluation in a cross-sectional study. IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10, and TNF-α were measured in plasma in all participants and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a subgroup of 56 study participants. Biomarkers were compared with neurocognitive outcomes, and the influence of sex and HIV disease biomarkers was assessed. In this cohort of young adults (median age of 24 years), the rate of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) was 36.1%. Median current CD4+ count was 479 cells/mm³ and 36.8% had detectable plasma viral load. Women had better HIV-associated overall status. In plasma, controlling for sex, higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were associated with NCI (p < 0.05). Plasma CXCL10 showed a significant interaction with sex (p = 0.02); higher values were associated with NCI in women only (p = 0.02). Individuals with undetectable viral load had significantly lower plasma CXCL10 (p < 0.001) and CCL2 (p = 0.02) levels, and CSF CXCL10 (p = 0.01), IL-6 (p = 0.04), and TNF-α (p = 0.04) levels. NCI in young men and women living with HIV was associated with higher IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma, but not in the CSF. CXCL10 was identified as a biomarker of NCI specifically in women with chronic HIV infection.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphism Val158Met is associated with distal neuropathic pain in HIV-associated sensory neuropathy

BACKGROUND

Many of those aging with HIV suffer from distal neuropathic pain (DNP) due to HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN). Prior studies have linked chronic pain conditions to a variant of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), ValMet. This variant confers reduced enzymatic activity and results in higher synaptic dopamine levels. Here we examined the role of ValMet as a predictor of DNP in HIV-SN.

METHODS

In 1044 HIV-infected individuals enrolled in CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research, an observational study across six US institutions, we characterized the relationship between ValMet and DNP in HIV-SN. Participants underwent neurologic examination and genotyping. Stratification into genetic ancestry groups was employed to eliminate bias due to genetic background.

FINDINGS

Of 590 participants with HIV-SN, 38% endorsed DNP, 24% reported nonpainful symptoms of neuropathy (paresthesia and numbness), and 38% were asymptomatic. Compared with asymptomatic HIV-SN, ValMet was associated with 2.3 higher odds of DNP. There were no increased odds of nonpainful symptoms. The association remained significant after controlling for other risk factors for DNP: lifetime diagnosis of depression, older age, ancestry, cumulative exposure to dideoxynucleoside antiretrovirals, diabetes, and nadir CD4. Stratified by genetic ancestry, the association between ValMet and DNP was significant in European and African genetic ancestry.

INTERPRETATION

ValMet may be a genetic marker for susceptibility to DNP in HIV-SN. Our findings support the notion that differences in pain processing mediated by COMT-related dopamine signaling play a role in susceptibility to DNP in HIV-SN. Because prior studies suggest that the COMT allele may influence dose-response relationships with opioid treatment, knowing COMT genotype could influence management.

Robust normative standards for the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) ages 60-89: A tool for early detection of memory impairment

Objective: To detect cognitive "impairment," neuropsychologists rely on normative data to compare patient performance to "normal" peers. However, the true normality of normative samples may be called into question given the high prevalence of preclinical proteinopathies amongst clinically normal older adults. Given its common use in memory clinics, we aimed to develop a robust California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) normative standard reflecting only the most cognitively stable sample of older adults available.Method: Two hundred and twenty-eight older adults (mean age = 69.9, range = 60-89, 91% White, mean education = 17.6 years) who were clinically normal at baseline and demonstrated clinical stability on longitudinal assessment completed the CVLT at baseline. We applied a standardized algorithm to convert raw scores into normalized scaled scores and then regressed on age, sex, and education using fractional polynomial modeling.Results: There were significant main effects of age and sex across CVLT metrics, but not education. Means and standard deviations were higher and less variable in our robust normative data than the data used to create the CVLT-II and CVLT-3 normative standards.Conclusions: These norms set a higher standard for what should be considered "normal" in the spectrum of age-related memory changes and may help clinicians identify patients with memory and potential neurodegenerative changes in the earliest stages, further optimizing clinical management and clinical trial stratification. As with any standard, these robust norms are only appropriately utilized with patients that closely match the demographic profile of the individuals represented in the sample used for this study.

White matter damage, neuroinflammation, and neuronal integrity in HAND

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) persist even with virologic suppression on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. We performed structural magnetic resonance imaging and MR spectroscopy (MRS) in HIV+ individuals without major neurocognitive comorbidities. Study participants were classified as neurocognitively unimpaired (NU), asymptomatic (ANI), mild neurocognitive disorder (MND), or HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Using structural MRI, we measured volumes of cortical and subcortical gray matter and total and abnormal white matter (aWM). Using single-voxel MRS, we estimated metabolites in frontal gray matter (FGM) and frontal white matter (FWM) and basal ganglia (BG) regions. Adjusted odds ratios were used to compare HAND to NU. Among 253 participants, 40% met HAND criteria (21% ANI, 15% MND, and 4% HAD). Higher risk of HAND was associated with more aWM. Both HAD and MND also had smaller gray and white matter volumes than NU. Among individuals with undetectable plasma HIV RNA, structural volumetric findings were similar to the overall sample. MND had lower FWM creatine and higher FGM choline relative to NU, whereas HAD and ANI had lower BG N-acetyl aspartate relative to NU. In the virologically suppressed subgroup, however, ANI and MND had higher FGM choline compared to NU. Overall, HAND showed specific alterations (more aWM and inflammation; less gray matter volume and lower NAA). Some MR measures differentiated less severe subtypes of HAND from HAD. These MR alterations may represent legacy effects or accumulating changes, possibly related to medical comorbidities, antiretroviral therapy, or chronic effects of HIV brain infection.

Effects of HIV on executive function and verbal fluency in Cameroon

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are frequently associated with impaired executive function and verbal fluency. Given limited knowledge concerning HAND in Sub-Saharan-Africa and lack of Cameroonian adult neuropsychological (NP) test norms, we administered four executive function [Halstead Category Test (HCT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Color Trails-II (CTT2), and Stroop Color-Word-Interference (SCWT)] and three verbal fluency (Category, Action, and Letter Fluency) tests to 742 adult Cameroonians (395 HIV-, 347 HIV+). We developed demographically-corrected NP test norms and examined the effects of HIV and related variables on subjects' executive function and verbal fluency. HIV+ subjects had significantly lower T-scores on CTT2 (P = 0.005), HCT (P = 0.032), WCST (P < 0.001); lower executive function composite (P = 0.002) and Action Fluency (P = 0.03) T-scores. ART, viremia, and CD4 counts did not affect T-scores. Compared to cases harboring other viral subtypes, subjects harboring HIV-1 CRF02_AG had marginally higher CTT2 T-scores, significantly higher SCWT (P = 0.015) and executive function (P = 0.018) T-scores. Thus, HIV-1 infection in Cameroon is associated with impaired executive function and some aspects of verbal fluency, and viral genotype influenced executive function. We report the first normative data for assessing executive function and verbal fluency in adult Cameroonians and provide regression-based formulas for computing demographically-adjusted T-scores. These norms will be useful for investigating HIV/AIDS and other diseases affecting cognitive functioning in Cameroon.

Plasma HIV RNA level is associated with neurocognitive function among HIV-1-infected patients in Nigeria

Plasma HIV RNA level has been shown to correlate with HIV disease progression, morbidity, and mortality. We examined the association between levels of plasma HIV RNA and cognitive function among patients in Nigeria. A total of 179 HIV-1-infected participants with available plasma HIV RNA results and followed longitudinally for up to 2 years were included in this study. Blood samples from participants were used for the measurement of plasma HIV RNA and CD4+ T cell count. Utilizing demographic and practice effect-adjusted T scores obtained from a seven-domain neuropsychological test battery, cognitive status was determined by the global deficit score (GDS) approach, with a GDS ≥ 0.5 indicating cognitive impairment. In a longitudinal multivariable linear regression analysis, adjusting for CD4 cell count, Beck's Depression Score, age, gender, years of education, and antiretroviral treatment status, global T scores decreased by 0.35 per log10 increase in plasma HIV RNA [p = 0.033]. Adjusting for the same variables in a multivariable logistic regression, the odds of neurocognitive impairment were 28% higher per log10 increase in plasma HIV RNA (OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.08, 1.51]; p = 0.005). There were statistically significant associations for the speed of information processing, executive, and verbal fluency domains in both linear and logistic regression analyses. We found a significant association between plasma HIV RNA levels and cognitive function in both baseline (cross-sectional) and longitudinal analyses. However, the latter was significantly attenuated due to weak association among antiretroviral-treated individuals.

Effects of trauma, economic hardship, and stress on neurocognition and everyday function in HIV

OBJECTIVE

The causes of neurocognitive and everyday functioning impairment among aging people living with HIV (PLWH) are multifactorial. Exposure to stress and trauma can result in neurocognitive deficits via activation of neurological and other biological mechanisms.

METHOD

PLWH (n = 122) and persons without HIV (n = 95), 35-65 years of age, completed four questionnaires that were used to generate a trauma, economic hardship (food insecurity and low socioeconomic status), and stress composite variable (TES). Participants also completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and standardized self-reports of activities of daily living (ADLs). We examined the independent and interactive effects of TES and HIV status on neurocognitive performance and ADL declines.

RESULTS

PLWH had more traumatic events, more food insecurity, lower socioeconomic status, and higher perceived stress compared with HIV- individuals (all ps < .0001). Among PLWH, a higher composite TES score was associated with worse executive functioning (p = .02), worse learning (p = .02), worse working memory (p = .02), and more ADL declines (p < .0001), even after controlling for relevant demographic, psychiatric, substance use, and HIV disease covariates. On their own, individual TES components did not predict these outcomes. Conversely, no significant relationships were observed between TES and cognitive domains nor ADL declines among HIV- individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

A composite score of trauma, economic hardship, and stress was significantly associated with worse neurocognitive performance and functional declines among PLWH. These adverse experiences may contribute to neurocognitive and daily functioning difficulties commonly observed among PLWH. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the relationships between economic/psychosocial adversities and cognitive/functional outcomes over time, and examine potential mediators, such as inflammatory biomarkers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Everyday Multitasking Abilities in Older HIV+ Adults: Neurobehavioral Correlates and the Mediating Role of Metacognition

Objective

The prevalence of older adults living with HIV is rising, as is their risk for everyday functioning problems associated with neurocognitive dysfunction. Multitasking, the ability to maintain and carry out subgoals in support of a larger goal, is a multidimensional skill ubiquitous during most real-life tasks and associated with prefrontal networks that are vulnerable in HIV. Understanding factors associated with multitasking will improve characterization of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Metacognition is also associated with frontal systems, is impaired among individuals with HIV, and may contribute to multitasking.

Method

Ninety-nine older (≥50 years) adults with HIV completed: the Everyday Multitasking Test (MT), a performance-based measure during which participants concurrently attempt four everyday tasks (e.g., medication management) within a time limit; a comprehensive neuropsychological battery; measures of metacognition regarding their MT performance (e.g., metacognitive knowledge and online awareness).

Results

Better global neuropsychological performance (i.e., average T-score across all domains) was associated with better Everyday MT total scores (rho = 0.34; p < .001), as was global metacognition (rho = 0.37, p < .01). Bootstrapping mediation analysis revealed global metacognition was a significant partial mediator between neurocognition and Everyday MT (b = 0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01, 0.25). Specifically, metacognitive knowledge (but not online awareness) drove this mediation (b = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.27).

Conclusions

Consistent with findings among younger persons with HIV, neuropsychological performance is strongly associated with a complex, laboratory-based test of everyday multitasking, and metacognition of task performance was a pathway through which successful multitasking occurred. Interventions aimed at modifying metacognition to improve daily functioning may be warranted among older adults with HIV.

Association of antiretroviral therapy with brain aging changes among HIV-infected adults

OBJECTIVE

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is currently recommended for all persons living with HIV (PLWH), regardless of their CD4 T-cell count, and should be continued throughout life. Nonetheless, vigilance of the safety of ART, including its neurotoxicity, must continue. We hypothesized that use of certain ART drugs might be associated with aging-related cerebral degenerative changes among PLWH.

DESIGN

Clinicopathological study of PLWH who were using ART drugs at the last clinical assessment.

METHODS

Using multivariable logistic regression, we tested associations between use of each specific ART drug (with reference to use of other ART drugs) and cerebral degenerative changes including neuronal phospho-tau lesions, β-amyloid plaque deposition, microgliosis, and astrogliosis in the frontal cortex and putamen (immunohistochemistry), as well as cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in the forebrain white matter (standard histopathology), with relevant covariates being taken into account. The Bonferroni adjustment was applied.

RESULTS

Darunavir use was associated with higher likelihood of neuronal phospho-tau lesions in the putamen [odds ratio (OR) 15.33, n = 93, P = 0.005]. Ritonavir use was associated with marked microgliosis in the putamen (OR 4.96, n = 101, P = 0.023). On the other hand, use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was associated with lower likelihood of β-amyloid plaque deposition in the frontal cortex (OR 0.13, n = 102, P = 0.012). There was a trend toward an association between emtricitabine use and CSVD (OR 13.64, n = 75, P = 0.099).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that PLWH treated with darunavir and ritonavir may be at increased risk of aging-related cerebral degenerative changes.

Motor-free composites from the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) for people with disabilities

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) includes a group of brief measures (i.e., 30 min) designed to assess language, processing speed, working memory, episodic memory, and executive functioning. These subtests can be combined to create composite scores that reflect fluid and crystallized cognition, as well as overall cognition. The battery is of limited utility with individuals who have impaired upper extremity motor functioning. This manuscript examines the accuracy of the Oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test as a substitute for the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test for computing motor-free composite scores. Research Method/Design: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI; n = 188), traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 159), or stroke (n = 180) completed the NIHTB-CB. We used the Oral Symbol Digit Modalities Test to create a Motor-Free Pattern Comparison score; this was used to create revised, Motor-Free Composite scores for Fluid Cognition and Overall Cognition.

RESULTS

Although there were statistically significant overall differences between the two Fluid and Overall Cognition composite scores for some of the clinical groups (scores based on the motor-free approach were significantly higher than the original score), these differences were small and partly because of overclassification of impaired processing speed in participants with motor impairment. There was good to substantial agreement with regard to "impairment" classification between the two sets of Original and Motor-Free composite scores.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS

Although the Motor-Free scores are not a perfect match for the Original Composite scores, they provide a reliable and valid way to examine overall and fluid cognition in individuals with upper extremity motor impairments. (PsycINFO Database Record

Individualized texting for adherence building (iTAB) for methamphetamine users living with HIV: A pilot randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Methamphetamine (METH) use poses a barrier to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. We evaluated the efficacy of the individualized texting for adherence building (iTAB) intervention among persons living with HIV (PLWH) who meet criteria for METH use disorder. We examined daily associations between ART adherence and text-reported METH use and depressed mood.

METHODS

We conducted a single site, 2-arm, 6-week, pilot randomized clinical trial comparing a personalized, bidirectional, text messaging system (iTAB; n = 50) to an active control condition (n = 25). All participants received adherence psychoeducation and daily texts assessing METH use and depressed mood. The iTAB group received personalized daily ART reminder texts. ART adherence was monitored using Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps.

RESULTS

Response rates to daily ART reminder texts were high (79%), with good concordance between MEMS-derived and text-reported ART adherence (p < .001). Intervention groups did not differ in MEMS-derived ART adherence (68% iTAB, 70% active control; p = .68); however, participants in the iTAB group had fewer METH use days (median 14.4 iTAB, 22.0 active control; p = .05). Text-reported METH use, but not depressed mood, was associated with poorer MEMS-derived ART adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

High text response rates and good concordance between MEMS-derived and text-reported adherence suggests text messaging is a feasible intervention delivery approach that provides a valid indication of ART adherence. Reductions in METH use among iTAB participants suggest daily health reminders may help attenuate substance use. Further research is needed to substantiate daily text messaging as a harm reduction approach.

A composite of multisystem injury and neurocognitive impairment in HIV infection: association with everyday functioning

The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index is a composite marker of multisystem injury among HIV-infected persons. We aimed to examine its cross-sectional association with functional outcomes, after considering neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and other well-established correlates of everyday functioning among HIV-infected persons. Participants included 670 HIV-infected adults (ages 18-76; 88% male; 63% non-Hispanic White; median current CD4 = 404 cells/mm³; 67% on antiretroviral therapy; AIDS = 63%) enrolled in observational studies at the University of California San Diego HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. Functional outcomes were assessed via self-report measures of declines in activities of daily living, perceived cognitive symptoms in daily life, and employment status. NCI was assessed via a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery and defined based on established methods. Covariates examined included demographics, HIV disease characteristics not included in the VACS Index, and psychiatric comorbidities. The VACS Index was computed via standard methods and categorized based on its distribution. Results from multivariable regression models showed that both higher VACS Index scores (indicative of worse health) and the presence of NCI were independently associated with declines in activities of daily living, increased cognitive symptoms in daily life, and unemployment. These independent effects remained after adjusting for significant covariates. In conclusion, the VACS Index may be a useful tool for identifying HIV-infected patients at high risk for everyday functioning problems. Considering factors such as NCI, historical HIV disease characteristics, and current mood might be particularly important to enhance the predictive power of the VACS Index for functional status among HIV-infected persons.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Physical Activity on Neurocognitive Functioning Among HIV-Infected Adults

Higher levels of physical activity (PA) have been linked to better neurocognitive functioning in many populations. The current study examines the longitudinal association between PA and neurocognitive functioning among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected persons. Community-dwelling adults (N = 291) self-reported level of PA and completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery at two to four study visits (Mean follow-up time = 2.6 years). Participants were divided into three PA groups: "No PA" (no PA at any visit), "consistent PA" (PA at ≥50% of visits), and "inconsistent PA" (PA < 50% of visits). A mixed effect model, adjusting for significant covariates showed that all PA groups had statistically significant, yet modest, neurocognitive decline over time; and, the consistent PA group began with, and maintained, significantly better neurocognitive function compared to the other two PA groups. This effect was evident among both HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected persons, despite the fact that HIV-infected persons showed lower baseline neurocognitive function. PA is a modifiable lifestyle behavior that may help to protect against neurocognitive impairment regardless of HIV status, however, given the proportion of HIV-infected individuals who evidence neurocognitive difficulties, a focus on increasing PA seems warranted.

Cognitive Function Among Antiretroviral Treatment-Naive Individuals Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype G Versus CRF02_AG in Nigeria

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype has been shown to be associated with disease progression. We compared cognitive function between individuals infected with HIV-1 subtype G and CRF02_AG in Nigeria.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, samples were analyzed from 146 antiretroviral-naive participants. Genotypic analysis of plasma HIV RNA was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction of protease and reverse transcriptase genes, and sequences were aligned with curated HIV-1 subtype references. Cognitive status was determined using demographically adjusted T scores and global deficit score (GDS) obtained from a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.

Results

A total of 76 (52.1%) participants were infected with CRF02_AG, 48 (32.8%) with subtype G, and 22 (15.1%) with other HIV-1 strains. In a multivariable linear regression adjusting for plasma HIV RNA, CD4 count, and depression score, mean global T score was lower among subtype G-infected compared with CRF02_AG-infected participants (mean difference, -3.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, -5.2, to -.7]; P = .011). Also, T scores were significantly lower among subtype G- than CRF02_AG-infected participants for the speed of information processing, executive function, and verbal fluency ability domains. Adjusting for similar variables in a logistic regression, the odds of global cognitive impairment (GDS ≥0.5) were 2.2 times higher among subtype G compared with CRF02_AG-infected participants (odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, .9-5.4]; P = .078).

Conclusions

Cognitive performance was significantly worse among antiretroviral-naive individuals with HIV-1 subtype G vs CRF02_AG infection. Further studies are required to characterize the mechanistic basis for these differences.

Neurocognitive impairment with hepatitis C and HIV co-infection in Southern Brazil

Although cognitive impairment has been well documented in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono-infections, research on neurocognitive effects is limited in the context of HIV/HCV co-infection. The aims of this study were to explore the interplay between HIV and HCV infections in the expression of neurocognitive impairment (NCI), and to examine the differences in test performance between HIV/HCV co-infected and HIV or HCV mono-infected patients. A total of 128 participants from Southern Brazil underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological (NP) battery comprising 18 tests. Participants were grouped according to their serological status: HCV mono-infected (n = 20), HIV mono-infected (n = 48), HIV/HCV co-infected (n = 12), and HIV-/HCV-uninfected controls (n = 48). The frequencies of HIV subtypes B and C between the HIV mono-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected groups were comparable. There was greater prevalence of neuropsychological impairment among all three infection groups compared with the uninfected control group, but no statistically significant differences among mono- and co-infected groups were found. HCV infection was associated with cognitive deficits, independently of liver dysfunction. HCV infection did not show an additive effect on neurocognitive function among HIV+. NCI was independent of HCV RNA on peripheral blood, CSF, and hepatic injury. While we did not find additive global effect, in the present study, there was some evidence of additive HIV/HCV co-infection effects in speed of information processing, executive function, and verbal fluency domains when comparing the co-infected group with the other three groups. NP impairment was not dependent on HCV subtypes.

Differences in Neurocognitive Impairment Among HIV-Infected Latinos in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disproportionately affects Hispanics/Latinos in the United States, yet little is known about neurocognitive impairment (NCI) in this group. We compared the rates of NCI in large well-characterized samples of HIV-infected (HIV+) Latinos and (non-Latino) Whites, and examined HIV-associated NCI among subgroups of Latinos.

METHODS

Participants included English-speaking HIV+ adults assessed at six U.S. medical centers (194 Latinos, 600 Whites). For overall group, age: M=42.65 years, SD=8.93; 86% male; education: M=13.17, SD=2.73; 54% had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. NCI was assessed with a comprehensive test battery with normative corrections for age, education and gender. Covariates examined included HIV-disease characteristics, comorbidities, and genetic ancestry.

RESULTS

Compared with Whites, Latinos had higher rates of global NCI (42% vs. 54%), and domain NCI in executive function, learning, recall, working memory, and processing speed. Latinos also fared worse than Whites on current and historical HIV-disease characteristics, and nadir CD4 partially mediated ethnic differences in NCI. Yet, Latinos continued to have more global NCI [odds ratio (OR)=1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-2.23; p<.01] after adjusting for significant covariates. Higher rates of global NCI were observed with Puerto Rican (n=60; 71%) versus Mexican (n=79, 44%) origin/descent; this disparity persisted in models adjusting for significant covariates (OR=2.40; CI=1.11-5.29; p=.03).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV+ Latinos, especially of Puerto Rican (vs. Mexican) origin/descent had increased rates of NCI compared with Whites. Differences in rates of NCI were not completely explained by worse HIV-disease characteristics, neurocognitive comorbidities, or genetic ancestry. Future studies should explore culturally relevant psychosocial, biomedical, and genetic factors that might explain these disparities and inform the development of targeted interventions. (JINS, 2018, 24, 163-175).

Racial Differences in Neurocognitive Outcomes Post-Stroke: The Impact of Healthcare Variables

OBJECTIVES

The present study examined differences in neurocognitive outcomes among non-Hispanic Black and White stroke survivors using the NIH Toolbox-Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB), and investigated the roles of healthcare variables in explaining racial differences in neurocognitive outcomes post-stroke.

METHODS

One-hundred seventy adults (91 Black; 79 White), who participated in a multisite study were included (age: M=56.4; SD=12.6; education: M=13.7; SD=2.5; 50% male; years post-stroke: 1-18; stroke type: 72% ischemic, 28% hemorrhagic). Neurocognitive function was assessed with the NIHTB-CB, using demographically corrected norms. Participants completed measures of socio-demographic characteristics, health literacy, and healthcare use and access. Stroke severity was assessed with the Modified Rankin Scale.

RESULTS

An independent samples t test indicated Blacks showed more neurocognitive impairment (NIHTB-CB Fluid Composite T-score: M=37.63; SD=11.67) than Whites (Fluid T-score: M=42.59, SD=11.54; p=.006). This difference remained significant after adjusting for reading level (NIHTB-CB Oral Reading), and when stratified by stroke severity. Blacks also scored lower on health literacy, reported differences in insurance type, and reported decreased confidence in the doctors treating them. Multivariable models adjusting for reading level and injury severity showed that health literacy and insurance type were statistically significant predictors of the Fluid cognitive composite (p<.001 and p=.02, respectively) and significantly mediated racial differences on neurocognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

We replicated prior work showing that Blacks are at increased risk for poorer neurocognitive outcomes post-stroke than Whites. Health literacy and insurance type might be important modifiable factors influencing these differences. (JINS, 2017, 23, 640-652).

Lower CSF Aβ is Associated with HAND in HIV-Infected Adults with a Family History of Dementia

BACKGROUND

Both family history of dementia (FHD) and lower levels of Aβ-42 are indepentently associated with worse neurocognitive functioning in HIVinfected patients.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ-42 and FHD with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).

METHODS

One hundred eighty-three HIV+ adults underwent neuropsychological and neuromedical assessments, and determination of CSF Aβ-42 concentration and FHD (defined as a self-reported first or second-degree relative with a dementia diagnosis). Univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were used.

RESULTS

FHD was not associated with HAND (p = 0.24); however, CSF Aβ-42 levels were lower (p = 0.03) in the HAND group, but were not associated with FHD (p = 0.89). Multivariable models showed a main effect of CSF Aβ-42 (p = 0.03) and a trend-level (p = 0.06) interaction between FHD and CSF Aβ-42, such that lower CSF Aβ-42 was associated with HAND in those with FHD (p < 0.01) compared to those without FHD (p = 0.83). An analysis in those with follow-up data showed that higher baseline CSF Aβ-42 was associated with lower risk of neurocognitive decline (p = 0.02). While we did not find an FHD X CSF Aβ-42 interaction (p = 0.83), when analyses were stratified by FHD, lower CSF Aβ-42 was associated at the trend-level with neurocognitive decline in the FHD group (p = 0.08) compared to the no FHD group (p = 0.15).

CONCLUSION

FHD moderates the relationship between of CSF Aβ-42 and HAND. The findings highlight the complexities in interpreting the relationships between biomarkers of age-related neurodegeneration and HAND.

At-Risk Alcohol Use is Associated with Antiretroviral Treatment Nonadherence Among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use is a risk factor for nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); however, differences in ART adherence across levels of alcohol use are unclear. This study examined whether "at-risk" alcohol use, defined by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines, was associated with ART nonadherence among PLWHA.

METHODS

Participants were 535 HIV-infected adults enrolled in studies at the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. ART nonadherence was identified by either self-reported missed dose or plasma viral load detectability (≥50 copies/ml). Potential covariates for multivariable logistic regression included demographics, depression, and substance use disorders.

RESULTS

Using a stepwise model selection procedure, we found that at-risk alcohol use (OR = 0.64; p = 0.032) and low education (OR = 1.09 per 1 year increase in education; p = 0.009) significantly predict lower ART adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

A greater focus on the treatment of at-risk alcohol use may improve ART adherence among HIV-infected persons.

Performance of Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites on the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery: the roles of ethnicity and language backgrounds

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the influence of Hispanic ethnicity and language/cultural background on performance on the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB).

METHOD

Participants included healthy, primarily English-speaking Hispanic (n = 93; Hispanic-English), primarily Spanish-speaking Hispanic (n = 93; Hispanic-Spanish), and English speaking Non-Hispanic white (n = 93; NH white) adults matched on age, sex, and education levels. All participants were in the NIH Toolbox national norming project and completed the Fluid and Crystallized components of the NIHTB-CB. T-scores (demographically-unadjusted) were developed based on the current sample and were used in analyses.

RESULTS

Spanish-speaking Hispanics performed worse than English-speaking Hispanics and NH whites on demographically unadjusted NIHTB-CB Fluid Composite scores (ps < .01). Results on individual measures comprising the Fluid Composite showed significant group differences on tests of executive inhibitory control (p = .001), processing speed (p = .003), and working memory (p < .001), but not on tests of cognitive flexibility or episodic memory. Test performances were associated with language/cultural backgrounds in the Hispanic-Spanish group: better vocabularies and reading were predicted by being born outside the U.S., having Spanish as a first language, attending school outside the U.S., and speaking more Spanish at home. However, many of these same background factors were associated with worse Fluid Composites within the Hispanic-Spanish group.

CONCLUSIONS

On tests of Fluid cognition, the Hispanic-Spanish group performed the poorest of all groups. Socio-demographic and linguistic factors were associated with those differences. These findings highlight the importance of considering language/cultural backgrounds when interpreting neuropsychological test performances. Importantly, after applying previously published NIHTB-CB norms with demographic corrections, these language/ethnic group differences are eliminated.

Depression After Spinal Surgery: A Comparative Analysis of the California Outcomes Database

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relative incidence of newly recorded diagnosis of depression after spinal surgery as a proxy for the risk of post-spinal surgery depression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used the longitudinal California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database (January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2010) to identify patients who underwent spinal surgery during these years. Patients with documented depression before surgery were excluded. Risk of new postoperative depression was determined via the incidence of newly recorded depression on any hospitalization subsequent to surgery. For comparison, this risk was also determined for patients hospitalized during the same time period for coronary artery bypass grafting, hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure exacerbation, or uncomplicated vaginal delivery.

RESULTS

Our review identified 1,078,639 patients. Relative to the uncomplicated vaginal delivery cohort, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for newly recorded depression within 5 years after the admission of interest were 5.05 for spinal surgery (95% CI, 4.79-5.33), 2.33 for coronary artery bypass grafting (95% CI, 2.15-2.54), 3.04 for hysterectomy (95% CI, 2.88-3.21), 2.51 for cholecystectomy (95% CI, 2.35-2.69), 2.44 for congestive heart failure exacerbation (95% CI, 2.28-2.61), and 3.04 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (95% CI, 2.83-3.26). Among patients who underwent spinal surgery, this risk of postoperative depression was highest for patients who underwent fusion surgery (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.22-1.36) or had undergone multiple spinal operations (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.16-1.29) during the analyzed period.

CONCLUSION

Patients who undergo spinal surgery have a higher risk for postoperative depression than patients treated for other surgical or medical conditions known to be associated with depression.

A randomized controlled clinical trial on the impact of CCR5 blockade with maraviroc in early infection on T-cell dynamics

BACKGROUND

Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in early HIV infection demonstrates clinical benefits including enhanced CD4 T-lymphocyte recovery and minimization of the latent HIV reservoir. Whether ART intensification with CCR5 blockade provides additional benefits is unknown.

TRIAL DESIGN

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of maraviroc (MVC) intensification in persons starting ART in acute and early HIV (AEH, within 3 months of estimated date of infection).

METHODS

Twenty persons in AEH in San Diego underwent double-blind randomization to receive either standard of care (SOC) ART or SOC + MVC to evaluate the hypothesis that early CCR5 blockage with a CCR5-containing ART regimen may provide immunologic and clinical benefit. The primary outcome of this study was the difference from baseline to week 48 in the proportion of CCR5 CD4 memory T cells. Blood was drawn at baseline and weeks 12, 24, and 48 to evaluate CCR5 CD4 and CD8 T-cell dynamics using multicolor flow cytometry.

RESULTS

MVC intensification (n = 10) did not significantly alter CCR5 T-cell dynamics at week 48 of study compared to SOC (n = 9) in this fully recruited study (mean 1.12 vs 0.63, t = 0.36, df = 16, P = 0.727). Exploratory analyses of additional T-cell subsets suggest that MVC intensification in AEH trended to early greater increases in naïve and activated and proliferating CD4 T cells (P = 0.11, 0.19), and greater decreases in senescent memory CD4 T cells (P = 0.06), but these differences did not remain by week 48. CD8 T-cell evaluations did demonstrate trends to differences at week 48 with slower increases in naïve cells and slower decreases in activated memory cells (P = 0.16, 0.09). There were no reported harms or significantly different adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

We did observe a few trends, but did not find compelling evidence that MVC intensification during AEH significantly impacts CD4 and CD8 T-cell dynamics. Diagnosing and starting persons in AEH on ART may be of greater clinical importance than the regimen initiated.

Latent toxoplasmosis is associated with neurocognitive impairment in young adults with and without chronic HIV infection

We evaluated the impact of latent toxoplasmosis (LT) on neurocognitive (NC) and neurobehavioural functioning in young adults with and without chronic HIV infection, using a standardised NC test battery, self-reported Beck Depression Inventory, Frontal System Behavior Scale, MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and risk-assessment battery. 194 young adults (median age 24years, 48.2% males) with chronic HIV infection (HIV+) since childhood and 51 HIV seronegative (HIV-) participants were included. HIV+ individuals had good current immunological status (median CD4: 479 cells/μl) despite a low CD4 nadir (median: 93 cells/μl). LT (positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies) was present in one third of participants. The impairment rates in the HIV- with and without Toxo were not significantly different (p=0.17). However, we observed an increasing trend (p<0.001) in impairment rates with HIV and LT status: HIV-/LT- (6.1%); HIV-/LT+ (22%), HIV+/LT- (31%), HIV+/LT+ (49%). In a multivariable analysis using the entire study group there were main effects on cognition for HIV and also for LT. Within the HIV+ group LT was associated with worse performance globally (p=0.006), in memory (p=0.009), speed of information processing (p=0.01), verbal (p=0.02) and learning (p=0.02) domains. LT was not associated with depressive symptoms, frontal systems dysfunction or risk behaviors in any of the groups. HIV participants with lower Toxoplasma antibody concentration had worse NC performance, with higher GDS values (p=0.03) and worse learning (p=0.002), memory (p=0.006), speed of information processing (p=0.01) T scores. Latent Toxoplasmosis may contribute to NC impairment in young adults, including those with and without chronic HIV infection.