Autoimmune markers in HIV-associated dementia.

The etiology of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is still unknown although direct viral effects have not been supported. Although evidence supports a role for products of activated macrophages, other evidence suggested the possibility of associated autoimmune phenomena at least as a marker. In a blinded analysis, non-HIV-infected whole brain material was immunoblotted with samples of serum, and in certain cases cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), from HAD patients and controls. Distinct antibrain antibodies were detected in 11/12 of HIV+ HAD patients, 7/19 of HIV+ patients without HAD, and 0/11 HIV seronegative controls who were either healthy or had other neurologic diseases. Reactivity against control tissue was negative. Though the etiopathogenetic relation of these antibrain antibodies remains to be delineated, the data suggest that they may be a marker of HAD.