HIV-associated inflammation in the brain may be a risk factor for the development of dementia

Takeaway

  • A greater understanding of HIV-associated inflammation and interindividual variations may help to better characterize the neurodegenerative processes in this patient population.

Why this matters

  • The neuropathogenesis of HIV is commonly characterized by inflammation in people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are virally suppressed on combination antiretroviral treatment (cART).

  • HIV-associated inflammation may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD).  

  • AD and other forms of dementia are often characterized by abnormal deposition of cortical amyloid; this neuropathological process could be used as a way to identify aging PLHIV at risk of developing dementia.