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Zondo S, Cockcroft K, Ferreira-Correia A. Brain plasticity and adolescent HIV: A randomised controlled trial protocol investigating behavioural and hemodynamic responses in attention cognitive rehabilitation therapy. MethodsX 2024; 13:102808. [PMID: 39022176 PMCID: PMC11252933 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in antiretroviral pharmacology, neuroHIV in the central nervous system (CNS), causes neuronal dysregulation, which is associated with compromised neurocognition. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as HIV cognitive rehabilitation training (HIV-CRT), have shown potential to partially reverse cognitive deficits, sequent HIV neuroinvasion. Nonetheless, no studies exist pairing cognitive outcomes with objective neuroimaging biomarkers in adolescent HIV-CRT. This longitudinal pre-post-quasi-experimental protocol examined cognitive outcomes, paired with optimal neuroimaging outcomes following customised attention training in adolescent HIV. Twenty-six adolescents living with HIV were randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which received attention CRT using ACTIVATE™, (n = 13), or to the treatment as usual group (n = 13). Cognitive outcomes were examined using the NEPSY-II, and BRIEF; whilst neuroimaging outcomes were determined by changes in oxygenated haemoglobin (HbO), as determined by functional near-infrared spectrometry (fNIRS). Functional connectivity fNIRS measures were evaluated using seed-based correlation analysis, located in the central executive network (CEN). This study serves to guide the development and identification of objective biomarkers for adolescent neuroHIV, sequent CRT amongst children living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizwe Zondo
- Department of Psychology, Rhodes University, 1 University Road, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Kate Cockcroft
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Aline Ferreira-Correia
- Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
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Oomen PGA, Hakkers CS, Arends JE, van der Berk GEL, Pas P, Hoepelman AIM, van Welzen BJ, du Plessis S. Underlying Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Improvement in Fronto-striatal Response Inhibition in People Living with HIV Switching Off Efavirenz: A Randomized Controlled BOLD fMRI Trial. Infect Dis Ther 2024; 13:1067-1082. [PMID: 38642238 PMCID: PMC11098980 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00966-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is unclear whether neurotoxicity due to the antiretroviral drug efavirenz (EFV) results in neurocognitive impairment in people living with HIV (PLWH). Previously, we found that discontinuing EFV was associated with improved processing speed and attention on neuropsychological assessment. In this imaging study, we investigate potential neural mechanisms underlying this cognitive improvement using a BOLD fMRI task assessing cortical and subcortical functioning. METHODS Asymptomatic adult PLWH stable on emtricitabine/tenofovirdisoproxil/efavirenz were randomly (1:2) assigned to continue their regimen (n = 12) or to switch to emtricitabine/tenofovirdisoproxil/rilpivirine (n = 28). At baseline and after 12 weeks, both groups performed the Stop-Signal Anticipation Task, which tests reactive and proactive inhibition (indicative of subcortical and cortical functioning, respectively), involving executive functioning, working memory, and attention. Behavior and BOLD fMRI activation levels related to processing speed and attention Z-scores were assessed in 17 pre-defined brain regions. RESULTS Both groups had comparable patient and clinical characteristics. Reactive inhibition behavioral responses improved for both groups on week 12, with other responses unchanged. Between-group activation did not differ significantly. For reactive inhibition, positive Pearson coefficients were observed for the change in BOLD fMRI activation levels and change in processing speed and attention Z-scores in all 17 regions in participants switched to emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil/rilpivirine, whereas in the control group, negative correlation coefficients were observed in 10/17 and 13/17 regions, respectively. No differential pattern was observed for proactive inhibition. CONCLUSION Potential neural mechanisms underlying cognitive improvement after discontinuing EFV in PLWH were found in subcortical functioning, with our findings suggesting that EFV's effect on attention and processing speed is, at least partially, mediated by reactive inhibition. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier [NCT02308332].
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G A Oomen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte S Hakkers
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joop E Arends
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido E L van der Berk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Pas
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andy I M Hoepelman
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berend J van Welzen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Stefan du Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
- SAMRC Genomics and Brain Disorders Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
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Oomen PGA, Hakkers CS, Arends JE, van der Berk GEL, Pas P, Hoepelman AIM, van Welzen BJ, du Plessis S. The Effect of Efavirenz on Reward Processing in Asymptomatic People Living with HIV: A Randomized Controlled Trial. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023. [PMID: 36734413 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated that HIV-infection affects the fronto-striatal network. It has not been examined what impact efavirenz (EFV), an antiretroviral drug notorious for its neurocognitive effects, has on the reward system: a key subcomponent involved in depressive and apathy symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of EFV on reward processing using a monetary incentive delay (MID) task. In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, asymptomatic adult participants stable on emtricitabine/tenofovirdisoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF)/EFV were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to switch to FTC/TDF/rilpivirine (RPV) (n = 30) or continue taking FTC/TDF/EFV (n = 13). At baseline and 12 weeks after therapy switch, both groups performed an MID task. Behavior and functional brain activity related to reward anticipation and reward outcome were assessed with blood-oxygen-level-dependent fMRI. Both groups were matched for age, education level, and time since HIV diagnosis and on EFV. At the behavioral level, both groups had faster response times and better response accuracy during rewarding versus nonrewarding trials, with no improvement resulting from switching FTC/TDF/EFV to FTC/TDF/RPV. No significant change in activation related to reward anticipation in the ventral striatum was found after switching therapy. Both groups had significantly higher activation levels over time, consistent with a potential learning effect. Similar activity related to reward outcome in the orbitofrontal cortex was found. Discontinuing FTC/TDF/EFV was not found to improve activity related to reward anticipation in asymptomatic people living with HIV, with similar cortical functioning during reward outcome processing. It is therefore likely that EFV does not affect motivational control. Further research is needed to determine whether EFV affects motivational control in HIV populations with different characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G A Oomen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte S Hakkers
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joop E Arends
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Guido E L van der Berk
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Pas
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andy I M Hoepelman
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berend J van Welzen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan du Plessis
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC Genomics and Brain Disorders Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Weber MT, Finkelstein A, Uddin MN, Reddy EA, Arduino RC, Wang L, Tivarus ME, Zhong J, Qui X, Schifitto G. Longitudinal Effects of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy on Cognition and Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Treatment-Naïve People with HIV. Neurology 2022; 99:e1045-e1055. [PMID: 36219802 PMCID: PMC9519252 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES While combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has dramatically increased the life expectancy of people with HIV (PWH), nearly 50% develop HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)1. This may be due to previously uncontrolled HIV viral replication, immune activation maintained by residual viral replication2 or activation from other sources3, 4, or cART-associated neurotoxicity5. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cART on cognition and neuroimaging biomarkers markers in people with HIV (PWH) before and after initiation of cART compared to HIV negative controls (HC) and HIV elite controllers (EC) who remain untreated. METHODS We recruited three groups of participants from the University of Rochester, McGovern Medical School and SUNY Upstate Medical University: 1) ART-treatment-naïve PWH; 2) age-matched HC; and 3) EC. Participants underwent brain MRI and clinical and neuropsychological assessments at baseline, one year, and two years. PWH were also assessed 12 weeks after initiating cART. Volumetric analysis and fractal dimensionality (FD) were calculated for cortical and subcortical regions. Mixed effect regressions examined the effect of group and imaging variables on cognition. RESULTS We enrolled 47 PWH, 58 HC, and 10 EC. At baseline, PWH had worse cognition and lower cortical volumes than HC. Cognition improved following initiation of cART and remained stable over time. Greater cortical thickness was associated with better cognition at baseline; greater FD of parietal, temporal and occipital lobes was associated with better cognition at baseline and longitudinally. At baseline, EC had worse cognition, lower cortical thickness and lower FD in all four lobes and caudate than PWH and HC. Greater cortical thickness, hippocampal volumes and FD of frontal, temporal and occipital lobes were associated with better cognition longitudinally. CONCLUSIONS Initiation of cART in PWH is associated with improvement in brain structure and cognition. However, significant differences persist over time compared to HC. Similar trends in EC suggest that results are due to HIV infection rather than treatment. Stronger associations between cognition and FD suggest this imaging metric may be a more sensitive marker of neuronal injury than cortical thickness and volumetric measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T Weber
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA
| | - Alan Finkelstein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Md Nasir Uddin
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA
| | | | - Roberto C Arduino
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX USA
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA
| | - Madalina E Tivarus
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA
| | - Jianhui Zhong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester NY, USA
| | - Xing Qui
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA
| | - Giovanni Schifitto
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY USA.,Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, USA
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Ruiz-Saez B, García MMB, de Aragon AM, Gil-Correa M, Melero H, Malpica NA, de Ory SJ, Zamora B, Guillen S, Rojo P, Falcon-Neyra L, Alvarez A, Fernandez P, Lorente-Jareño ML, Ramos JT, Sainz T, Velo C, Navarro ML, Gonzalez-Tomé MI. Effects of perinatal HIV-infection on the cortical thickness and subcortical gray matter volumes in young adulthood. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25403. [PMID: 33847637 PMCID: PMC8051971 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Brain atrophy has been observed in perinatally HIV-infected patients (PHIV) despite initiation on combined antiretroviral treatment (cART), but neuroimaging studies are limited. We aimed to evaluate cortical thickness (CT) and subcortical gray matter (GM) volumes of PHIV youths with stable immunovirological situation and with a normal daily performance.A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 25 PHIV patients on cART and 25 HIV-negative (HIV-) controls matched by age, sex, level of education, and socioeconomic status underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan. CAT12 toolbox was used to extract CT values from T1w images using parcellations from Desikan-Killiany atlas (DK40). To measure regional brain volumes, native segmented images were parceled in regions of interest according to the Neuromorphometrics Atlas. Neuropsychological assessment and psychopathological symptoms were documented.Fifty participants were included (60% females, median age 20 years [interquartile range, IQR 19-23], 64% Whites). No differences regarding neuropsychological tests or psychopathological symptoms were found between groups (all P > .05). All participants presented an average performance in the Fluid Intelligence (FI) test (PHIV mean: -0.12, HIV- mean: 0.24), When comparing CT, PHIV-infected patients showed thinner cortices compared with their peers in fusiform gyrus (P = .000, P = .009), lateral-orbitofrontal gyrus (P = .006, P = .0024), and right parsobitalis gyrus (P = .047). Regarding subcortical GM volumes, PHIV patients showed lower right amygdala (P = .014) and left putamen (P = .016) volumes when compared with HIV- controls. Within the PHIV group, higher CD4 count was associated with higher volumes in right putamen (B = 0.00000038, P = .045). Moreover, increased age at cART initiation and lower nadir CD4 count was associated with larger volumes in left accumbens (B = 0.0000046, P = .033; B = -0.00000008, P = .045, respectively).PHIV patients showed thinner cortices of areas in temporal, orbito-frontal and occipital lobes and lower volumes of subcortical GM volumes when compared with the HIV- control group, suggesting cortical and subcortical brain alterations in otherwise neuroasymptomatic patients. Nevertheless, larger and longitudinal studies are required to determine the impact of HIV on brain structure in PHIV patients and to further identify risk and protective factors that could be implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Ruiz-Saez
- Immunobiology Department, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IisGM)
| | - Manuela Martín-Bejarano García
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12)
| | | | - Mario Gil-Correa
- Laboratorio de Análisis de Imagen Médica y Biometría (LAIMBIO), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
| | - Helena Melero
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología en Ciencias del Comportamiento - Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, y Laboratorio de Análisis de Imagen Médica y Biometría (LAIMBIO), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
| | | | - Santiago Jimenez de Ory
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IisGM)
| | - Berta Zamora
- Paediatric Neuropsychology Department. Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre, Madrid
| | - Sara Guillen
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP)
| | - Pablo Rojo
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Department. Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre, Madrid, 28041, Spain. Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid
| | - Lola Falcon-Neyra
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla
| | | | - Pilar Fernandez
- Radiology Department. Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón
| | | | - Jose Tomas Ramos
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, 28040, Spain, Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP)
| | - Talía Sainz
- Paediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz. Hospital La Paz Institute For Health Research (Idipaz), Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP)
| | - Carlos Velo
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12)
| | - Maria Luisa Navarro
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Department. Hospital Gregorio Marañon, Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP)
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Growing evidence suggested that antiretroviral (ARV) drugs may promote amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in HIV-1-infected brain and the persistence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs). It has also been shown that lipid peroxidation upregulates β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression and subsequently promotes Aβ peptide production. In the present study, we examined whether chronic exposure to the anti-HIV drugs tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and nevirapine induces lipid peroxidation thereby promoting BACE1 and Aβ generation and consequently impair cognitive function in mice. METHODS TDF or nevirapine was orally administered to female BALB/c mice once a day for 8 weeks. On the 7th week of treatment, spatial learning and memory were assessed using the Morris water maze test. The levels of lipid peroxidation, BACE1, amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ1-42) and Aβ deposits were measured in the hippocampal tissue upon completion of treatment. RESULTS Chronic administration of nevirapine induced spatial learning and memory impairment in the Morris water maze test, whereas TDF did not have an effect. TDF and nevirapine administration increased hippocampal lipid peroxidation and Aβ1-42 concentration. Nevirapine further upregulated BACE1 expression and Aβ deposits. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that chronic exposure to TDF and nevirapine contributes to hippocampal lipid peroxidation and Aβ accumulation, respectively, as well as spatial learning and memory deficits in mice even in the absence of HIV infection. These findings further support a possible link between ARV drug toxicity, Aβ accumulation and the persistence of HANDs.
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