Up-regulation of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor two in plasma of HIV-seropositive individuals who use opiates.

Previously, we reported an increase in soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor two (sTNF-R2) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) in the plasma of HIV-seropositive individuals with neurocognitive dysfunction compared to their cognitively intact counterparts. As intravenous drug use is not only a risk factor for HIV but also an immunomodulator, we sought to examine the effects of drug use on soluble markers of immune activation. These relationships were investigated in 25 patients with late stage HIV-1 disease.

Cognitive asymmetries associated with apolipoprotein E genotype in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The relationship between apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype and cognitive performance was examined in 200 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD). Differences between composite measures of verbal and nonverbal functioning were used to define asymmetric patterns of cognition. Patients who were homozygous for apoE epsilon4 demonstrated relatively worse nonverbal as compared to verbal cognitive ability.