Neuroimmunity, drugs of abuse, and neuroAIDS

Tricia H. Burdo, Simon N. Katner, Michael A. Taffe, Howard S. Fox

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has long been postulated that drugs of abuse may represent significant cofactors in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced disease. Both HIV infection and drugs of abuse have significant effect on the immune system as well as on the nervous system. In HIV infection, abnormalities in these systems intersect to lead to a constellation of symptoms known as neuroAIDS. Drugs of abuse may synergize with such damage, acting on immune and/or neural cells. However, definitive epidemiological evidence for such an interaction is lacking. Here we review such studies as well as the use of the nonhuman primate/simian immunodeficiency virus system to investigate the interaction of neuroAIDS with drugs of abuse. Furthermore, recent findings on mechanisms of actions of selected drugs reveal the possibility of protective as well as detrimental effects on the central nervous system damage induced by HIV.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)41-49
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain
  • Drugs of abuse
  • HIV
  • NeuroAIDS
  • Neuroimmunity
  • SIV

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

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