SAN DIEGO, April 5 (UPI) -- An antibiotic may help prevent dementia in HIV patients, according to a researcher at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
"People infected with HIV often develop dementia as part of their illness, but there is currently no specific treatment for this complication," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jeffrey Rumbaugh. Two HIV proteins, called Tat and gp120, have been implicated in the development of HIV dementia, according to Rumbaugh.
One effect of these proteins is to reduce expression of a neuronal membrane receptor, called EAAT-2 for excitatory amino acid transporter-2. EAAT-2 absorbs the neurotransmitter glutamate from the space between neurons -- the synapse, thereby preventing excess neuronal excitation, which can cause cell death.
Researchers believe that by reducing EAAT-2, the HIV proteins increase brain damage, which leads to dementia in patients.
The findings were presented Wednesday at the American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego.
