Association Between Serotonin-Related Polymorphisms and Impaired Neurocognitive Function in HIV-Infected Adults

More than one million people are living with HIV in the U.S. and one in five are unaware of their status. Despite substantial improvements in the incidence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), neurocognitive deficits continue to be prevalent among HIV-infected individuals. The causes are uncertain, but it has been suggested that aging, substance abuse, and genetic factors may contribute. We investigated the association between serotonin-related genetic polymorphisms and neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected adults.

We investigated whether SNPs rs4570625 in TPH2 and rs6741892 in GALM genes were associated with neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected adults. Neurocognitive measures used were: the Short Category Test and the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test. Data were analyzed using logistic regression methods.

Total of 267 participants, 65% male, predominantly minority (76% African American, 16% Hispanic and 8% European American), the majority (69%) completed high school and mean age of 45.1 years. Significant results were found in SNPs rs4570625 associated with impaired executive function (OR = 2.5; p = 0.01) greater in males (OR = 4.0; p = 0.01); and rs6741892 associated with impaired memory (OR = 2.0; p = 0.01) greater in males (OR = 2.4; p = 0.01).

SNPs rs4570625 was significantly associated with impaired executive function, critical to planning, and ability to adapt goal-directed behavior. Genetic association studies have been most useful in medicine to stratify patients by prognosis to identify the kind of treatment and level of intensity required.  Results of this study may pave the way to more personalized behavioral interventions based on genetic differences.