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Decreased expression of AMPA receptor messenger RNA and protein in AIDS: A model for HIV-associated neurotoxicity

Nature Medicine volume 1, pages 1174–1178 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

HIV infection can cause extensive neuronal loss and clinically a severe dementia. The cause of the neurotoxicity remains unclear as neurons are not infected, but disturbance of glutamate-linked calcium entry has been implicated. In this study, we have shown a decrease in HIV-infected brain of the expression of mRNA and protein of the GluR-A flop subtype of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptor in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Although Purkinje cells are relatively resistant to loss, the observed disturbance of AMPA receptors may contribute to the neurotoxic process in other vulnerable brain regions and clinically to the development of dementia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuropathology, DeCrespigny Park, London, SES 8AF, UK

    Ian Paul Everall, Lance Hudson, Safa Al-Sarraj, Mrinalini Honavar, Peter Lantos & Robert Kerwin

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  1. Ian Paul Everall
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  2. Lance Hudson
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  4. Mrinalini Honavar
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Everall, I., Hudson, L., Al-Sarraj, S. et al. Decreased expression of AMPA receptor messenger RNA and protein in AIDS: A model for HIV-associated neurotoxicity. Nat Med 1, 1174–1178 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1195-1174

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