HIV-related decreased brain activity during a semantic memory task is reflected in spontaneous brain functional connectivity

Anna R. Egbert; Agnieszka Pluta; Marta  Sobańska; Natalia Gawron; Bogna Szymańska-Kotwica; Emilia Łojek; Harmonia Group

doi:10.5114/hpr.2020.94720

Authors

Anna R. Egbert University of British Columbia, University of Warsaw
Agnieszka Pluta University of Warsaw, World Hearing Center
Marta Sobańska University of Warsaw
Natalia Gawron The Maria Grzegorzewska University
Bogna Szymańska-Kotwica The Central Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw
Emilia Łojek University of Warsaw
Harmonia Group University of Warsaw, World Hearing Center, The Central Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, The Ohio State University, The Cleveland Clinic, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.94720

Keywords:

neurocognitive, cART, fMRI, functional brain connectivity, hand

Abstract

Background
The primary goal was to examine HIV-related changes in brain activation during a semantic memory task. The secondary goal was to assess whether the functional connectivity of the brain regions showing altered activity during the semantic memory task is related to HIV serostatus.

Participants and procedure
The total group of 17 male subjects, aged on average 44 years, included 8 HIV+/cART+ and 9 demographically matched healthy comparators. Participants completed Famous Names Recognition task-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and resting state fMRI.

Results
We found an effect of HIV status on brain activation during the semantic memory task, despite comparable accuracy and reaction time across groups. Compared to healthy individuals, in HIV+ participants recognition of famous names elicited less activity in the fronto-striatal network, particularly in the left caudate nucleus (p = .049), left inferior frontal gyrus (p = .047), left thalamus (p = .031) and right thalamus (p = .047), as well as in the left middle occipital gyrus (p = .028). Although an effect of HIV status on functional connectivity of the brain regions showing altered activity during semantic memory task was not observed, resting-state activation of those regions was significantly correlated with performance on cognitive domains of attention, executive functioning, psychomotor speed and semantic skills.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest the presence of functional brain network reorganization in HIV+/cART+ patients, particularly in subcortical regions of the fronto-striatal network, in the absence of neurocognitive decline.

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