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The neuropathogenesis of AIDS
González-Scarano F, Martín-García J.. Nature reviews. Immunology, 2005-01-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is an important complication of the central nervous system in patients who are infected with HIV-1. Although the incidence of HAD has markedly decreased since it has become possible to effectively control viral replication in the blood by administering highly active antiretroviral therapy, a less severe form of HAD, comprising a milder cognitive and motor disorder, is now potentially a serious problem. Brain macrophages and microglia are the key cell types that are infected by HIV-1 in the central nervous system, and they are likely to mediate the neurodegeneration seen in patients with HAD; however, the precise pathogenesis of this neurodegeneration is still unclear. Here, we discuss the studies that are being carried out to determine the respective contributions of infection, and monocyte and macrophage activation, to disease progression.
Key findings
- HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is an important complication of the central nervous system in patients who are infected with HIV-1.
- Although the incidence of HAD has markedly decreased since it has become possible to effectively control viral replication in the blood by administering highly active antiretroviral therapy, a less severe form of HAD, comprising a milder cognitive and motor disorder, is now potentially a serious problem.
- Brain macrophages and microglia are the key cell types that are infected by HIV-1 in the central nervous system, and they are likely to mediate the neurodegeneration seen in patients with HAD; however, the precise pathogenesis of this neurodegeneration is still unclear.
- Here, we discuss the studies that are being carried out to determine the respective contributions of infection, and monocyte and macrophage activation, to disease progression.
Why it matters
This review discusses HIV-associated dementia, noting that its incidence fell with highly active antiretroviral therapy but that a milder cognitive and motor disorder remains a potential problem. It concerns HIV-associated dementia and does not address treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Nature reviews. Immunology) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Nature reviews. Immunology: journal h-index 570 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2005 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 7 / 7 | Cited 1,101 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 47.9 citations a year over 23 year(s) since 2005 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 4 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 76 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Julio Martín‐García: h-index 29 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Pennsylvania: institution h-index 1,859 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 15630430) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
González-Scarano, F., & Martín-García, J. (2005). The neuropathogenesis of AIDS. Nature reviews. Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri1527
Vancouver
González-Scarano F, Martín-García J. The neuropathogenesis of AIDS. Nature reviews. Immunology. 2005. doi:10.1038/nri1527. PMID: 15630430.
BibTeX
@article{gonzalezscarano2005-15630430,
author = {González-Scarano, F. and Martín-García, J.},
title = {{The neuropathogenesis of AIDS}},
journal = {Nature reviews. Immunology},
year = {2005},
doi = {10.1038/nri1527},
pmid = {15630430},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/nri1527}
}
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