Aids 'causes brain damage'

A new US study has found that the Aids causes brain damage and antiretroviral drugs do not slow down the loss of brain tissue.

A team of researchers from the University of California and the University of Pittsburgh produced three-dimensional brain scans of 26 Aids patients and found the virus had caused a loss of 15 per cent in brain tissue at the top of the brain and the back.

These areas of the brain control motor, language and judgement and correlate with physical symptoms such as slower reflexes and impaired coordination.

Paul Thompson, lead author of the report, said: "Two big surprises came out of this study.

"First, that Aids is selective in how it attacks the brain. Second, drug therapy does not appear to slow the damage.

"The brain provides a sanctuary for HIV where most drugs cannot follow."

This study is the first to uncover the reason for many of the symptoms that come with Aids, such as why the disease causes motor skills to deteriorate.

It is hoped the discovery may lead to the development of a drug that not only halts the attack on the immune system, but also the brain.

Mr Thompson added: "Even though antiretroviral drugs rescue the immune system, Aids is still stalking the brain.

"A protective barrier prevents drugs from entering the brain, transforming it into a reservoir where HIV can multiply and attack cells unchecked."

The Terrence Higgins Trust has warned that although the results of the study are interesting more work and evidence is needed before any drugs could be produced.

Rod Watson of the trust said: "This study is the only research of its kind at the moment and we'd like to see it replicated before further action is taken."

But he added that the report offers "a lot of promise to people with HIV", saying that the trust knew of a number of Aids victims who suffered from dementia.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

© Adfero Ltd

	Health news from 11 Oct 05
	Efficiency measures challenge NHS -  11 Oct 05 Hospitals could suffer under the new efficiency-boosting pay per patient system and may even be forced to close if they are ill-prepared for the new measures, according to a leading watchdog.
	Aids 'causes brain damage' -  11 Oct 05 A new US study has found that the Aids causes brain damage and antiretroviral drugs do not slow down the loss of brain tissue.
	Fish boosts elderly mental health -  11 Oct 05 Eating oily fish like salmon or tuna once a week prevents the onset of mental decline in elderly people, according to new research.
	Even mild exercise helps heart -  11 Oct 05 It is unnecessary to exercise intensely to improve heart health, new research has shown.
	Stillborn risk for diabetic mothers -  11 Oct 05 Expectant mothers with diabetes are five times as likely to give birth to a stillborn baby, according to a new global study.