The effect of childhood trauma, ApoE genotype and HIV-1 viral protein R variants on change in cognitive performance

Abstract

Objective: Gene-environment interactions contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. We examined whether childhood trauma, apolipoprotein E isoforms and viral protein R (Vpr) variants were associated with change in cognitive performance. Seventy-three seropositive women completed neuropsychological assessments at baseline and 1-year follow-up. We conducted genetic analyses using DNA obtained from blood and calculated risk scores based on Vpr amino acid 37, 41 and 55 variants that were previously associated with cognitive performance. Results: Global cognitive scores declined significantly over the 1-year study period (p = 0.029). A reduction in global cognitive scores was associated with childhood trauma experience (p = 0.039).