Effects of HIV and Methamphetamine on Brain and Behavior: Evidence from Human Studies and Animal Models.

TitleEffects of HIV and Methamphetamine on Brain and Behavior: Evidence from Human Studies and Animal Models.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsSoontornniyomkij, V, Kesby, JP, Morgan, EE, Bischoff-Grethe, A, Minassian, A, Brown, GG, Grant, I
Corporate AuthorsTranslational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC) Group
JournalJ Neuroimmune Pharmacol
Volume11
Issue3
Pagination495-510
Date Published2016 09
ISSN1557-1904
KeywordsAmphetamine-Related Disorders, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Brain, Cognition Disorders, Disease Models, Animal, External, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Humans, Methamphetamine, Social Behavior Disorders
Abstract

Methamphetamine (Meth) use is frequent among HIV-infected persons. Combined HIV and Meth insults may exacerbate neural injury in vulnerable neuroanatomic structures or circuitries in the brain, leading to increased behavioral disturbance and cognitive impairment. While acute and chronic effects of Meth in humans and animal models have been studied for decades, the neurobehavioral effects of Meth in the context of HIV infection are much less explored. In-depth understanding of the scope of neurobehavioral phenotypes and mechanisms in HIV/Meth intersection is needed. The present report summarizes published research findings, as well as unpublished data, in humans and animal models with regard to neurobehavioral disturbance, neuroimaging, and neuropathology, and in vitro experimental systems, with an emphasis on findings emerging from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC). Results from human studies and animal (primarily HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mouse) models thus far suggest that combined HIV and Meth insults increase the likelihood of neural injury in the brain. The neurobehavioral effects include cognitive impairment and increased tendencies toward impaired behavioral inhibition and social cognition. These impairments are relevant to behaviors that affect personal and social risks, e.g. worse medication adherence, riskier behaviors, and greater likelihood of HIV transmission. The underlying mechanisms may include electrochemical changes in neuronal circuitries, injury to white matter microstructures, synaptodendritic damage, and selective neuronal loss. Utilization of research methodologies that are valid across species is instrumental in generating new knowledge with clinical translational value.

DOI10.1007/s11481-016-9699-0
Alternate JournalJ Neuroimmune Pharmacol
PubMed ID27484318
PubMed Central IDPMC4985024
Grant ListR01 MH105319 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
P50 DA026306 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG043384 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R13 DA035084 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH096648 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
P30 MH062512 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
P01 DA012065 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States