Primate model of retroviral neurodysfunction

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J Neurovirol. 2008 Aug;14(4):301-8.

Behavioral and neurophysiological hallmarks of simian immunodeficiency virus

infection in macaque monkeys.

Cheney PD, Riazi M, Marcario JM.Department of Molecular and Integrative

Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas

66160-7185, USA. pcheney@...

Macaque monkeys infected with various neurovirulent forms of simian

immunodeficiency virus (SIV) represent highly effective models, not only of

systemic acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS), but also neuroAIDS.

Behavioral studies with this model have clearly established that

SIV-infected monkeys show both cognitive and motor impairments resembling

those that have been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected

humans. This paper combines data from a number of behavioral studies in

SIV-infected macaque monkeys to obtain an overall estimate of the frequency

of impairments in various motor and cognitive domains. The results were then

compared to similar data from studies of HIV-infected humans. Whereas

cognitive functions are most commonly impaired in HIV-infected humans, motor

function is the domain most commonly impaired in SIV-infected monkeys.

Electrophysiological studies in SIV-infected macaques have revealed deficits

in motor-, somatosensory-, visual-, and auditory-evoked potentials that also

resemble abnormalities in human HIV infection. Abnormalities in motor-evoked

potentials were among the most common evoked potential deficits observed.

Although differences in behavioral profiles of human HIV disease and SIV

disease in monkeys exist, the results, nevertheless, provide strong

validation for the use of macaque models for translational studies of the

virology, immunology, pathophysiology, and treatment of neuroAIDS.PMID:

18780231

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