Lifetime methamphetamine dependence is associated with cerebral microgliosis in HIV-1-infected adults.

Methamphetamine (Meth) use is common among HIV-infected persons. It remains unclear whether Meth dependence is associated with long-lasting degenerative changes in the brain parenchyma and microvasculature of HIV-infected individuals. We examined the postmortem brains of 78 HIV-infected adults, twenty of whom were diagnosed with lifetime Meth dependence (18 past and two current at the final follow-up visit).

The impact of age, HIV serostatus and seroconversion on methamphetamine use.

Background: Characterizing methamphetamine use in relation to age, HIV serostatus and seroconversion is pertinent given the increasingly older age of the population with HIV and the intertwined epidemics of methamphetamine use and HIV.

Objectives: Study aims were to investigate whether (i) methamphetamine use differs by age and HIV serostatus, and (ii) receiving an HIV diagnosis impacts methamphetamine use among younger and older persons with HIV.

Methods: This study examined methamphetamine use characteristics among 217 individuals with a lifetime methamphetamine dependence diagnosis who completed an in-person study assessment.

Persistent neurocognitive decline in a clinic sample of hepatitis C virus-infected persons receiving interferon and ribavirin treatment.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (IFN/RBV) can be associated with neuropsychiatric side effects, which may necessitate dose reductions or treatment discontinuation. This study aimed to characterize the time course and predictors of cognitive and affective/mood symptoms after IFN/RBV treatment initiation. Forty individuals enrolled in a longitudinal project underwent comprehensive cognitive, medical, and psychiatric assessment at baseline and 10 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after treatment initiation.