Tau Positron Emission Tomography Binding Is Not Elevated in HIV-Infected Individuals

J Infect Dis. 2019 Jun 5;220(1):68-72. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy663.

Abstract

Regional standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) for tau positron emission tomography (PET) were compared among 19 cognitively normal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative control individuals, 20 HIV-negative patients with symptomatic Alzheimer disease, 15 cognitively normal HIV-positive individuals, and 17 cognitively impaired HIV-positive individuals. Among the HIV-positive participants, the correlation between tau PET SUVRs and both HIV loads and CD4+ T-cell counts (recent and nadir). Tau PET SUVRs were similar for HIV-positive individuals and HIV-negative control individuals. Individuals with symptomatic Alzheimer disease had elevated tau PET SUVRs. Tau PET SUVRs did not correlate with impairment or clinical markers in HIV-positive participants. Older HIV-positive individuals are not at increased risk of tau-mediated neurodegeneration.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; HIV dementia; positron emission tomography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Dementia Complex* / diagnostic imaging
  • AIDS Dementia Complex* / epidemiology
  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease* / diagnostic imaging
  • Alzheimer Disease* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*