Biomedical subjects

Gabriele Arendt

Publications and source records attributed to Gabriele Arendt.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Neuroscience of HIV Infection: emerging issues.

The 10th International Conference on Neuroscience of HIV Infection was held conjointly with the 4th International Symposium on NeuroVirology. This review summarizes a number of important topics addressed at the conference including clinical aspects of HIV-1 associated dementia and peripheral nervous system pathology and their epidemiology in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. The neuropathogenesis was discussed with a special focus on different cellular compartments involved, viral and non-viral factors, immune activation, and alterations of the blood-brain barrier, animal models and their relevance for understanding HIV dementia. New aspects of antiretroviral therapy as well as immunization were covered. Neuroradiological approaches including new MR techniques and neuropsychological tests were presented. Viral opportunistic infections (e.g., JCV infection resulting in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) as well as coinfection with hepatitis C represented a further topic.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed2002

Human immunodeficiency virus dementia: evidence of a subcortical process from studies of fine finger movements.

HIV-1 associated dementia is the major manifestation of HIV-1 within the central nervous system and a devastating disease which is characterized by cognitive, motor, and emotional deficits. HIV-1 associated minor motor deficits can manifest as psychomotor slowing and predict the later development of HIV-1 associated dementia, AIDS, and death. These minor motor deficits can be described, e.g., by electrophysiological assessment of basal ganglia motor function (frequency of most rapid alternating finger movements, reaction and contraction times of most rapid index finger extensions). Minor motor deficits quantified by contraction times can be subdivided into a more incipient and a more sustained type of deficit. Parallel examination of motor function and positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the basal ganglia, or SPECT helps to point to the basal ganglia as a pivotal point of HIV-1 associated CNS pathology.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed2002

Drug treatment for HIV-1-associated dementia.

The manifestation of HIV-1-associated minor motor deficits or HIV-1-associated dementia indicates viral activity within the CNS. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has a prophylactic effect, which does not protect all patients, because different pathomechanisms are involved. A CNS-specific therapeutic efficacy can be demonstrated for nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs; NNRTIs). To be effective in the CNS, HAART should contain either zidovudine or stavudine and NNRTI should be added if there is dinical or preclinical evidence of CNS involvement. Protease inhibitors may be sufficient to lower high systemic viral burden and thus protect the CNS from HIV-1 invasion.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term safety and efficacy of NNRTI within the central nervous system.

PURPOSE: To find out about the long-term safety and efficacy of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) within the central nervous system (CNS) in the context of reports suggesting a higher incidence of severe neuropsychiatric disorders resulting from HIV treatment with efavirenz (EFV). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of a large cohort with regular neuropsychiatric follow-up. We compared 414 patients on EFV and 320 on nevirapine (NVP) with regard to CD4 cell count, HIV plasma viral burden, CNS dysfunction described by psychomotor speed, HIV dementia scale, neuropsychological tests assessing memory and attention, self-reported psychiatric and somatic complaints, depression, and psychosis. RESULTS: No significant differences between both types of NNRTI treatment regimens were found with regard to duration of therapy and reasons for withdrawal: virological failure, neurological failure, and neuropsychiatric side effects including the manifestation of depression, psychosis, insomnia, or other self-reported complaints. CONCLUSION: The present data do not provide evidence for a higher incidence of light and/or severe neuropsychiatric side effects associated with NNRTI treatment.

Adult↗