The Gray Matter Atrophy Pattern Associated with Abnormal Gait and Cognitive Impairment in HIV-Infected Individuals.

Motivation: This study investigates brain atrophy patterns associated with gait and cognitive abnormalities in HIV-infected individuals. Goal(s): Motivated by the need to understand the neurological impact of HIV, the goals were to identify specific atrophy patterns and elucidate pathological mechanisms. Approach: A multi-center approach involved MRI, gait assessments, and cognitive evaluations, with clustering and virtual histology for analysis. Results: The results revealed two distinct atrophy subgroups, highlighting differences in gait and cognitive impairments, with gene expression analyses indicating significant roles for oligodendrocytes and interneurons, offering insights into targeted treatment strategies. Impact: This study provides insights into how infectious and systemic diseases, such as HIV, affect the brain by integrating multimodal data including imaging, behavioral assessments, and gene transcription analysis. This comprehensive approach enables a deeper understanding of disease pathology and mechanisms.