AIDS Dementia

Introduction

AIDS dementia is caused by the degeneration and death of neurons. Since HIV does not productively multiply in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs), astrocytes, and neurons, the mechainsm of cell injury is believed to be the transmigration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by activated macrophages. Prior to the successful treatment of HIV infection to slow the progression to AIDS, approximately 30% of patients suffered from AIDS dementia, which causes cognitive and motor dysfunction.

Laboratories Investigating AIDS Dementia & the Role of the Blood Brain Barrier

• The Fox Lab at The Scripps Research Institue
  
• Dr. Sulie Lin Chang's Laboratory at Seton hall University
  
• Center for Human Virology at Thomas Jefferson University
  
• The Nebraska Center for Virology