People living with HIV are now living much longer than they did in the past, thanks to highly effective antiretroviral treatments.
These medicines can keep the virus under control for decades and allow many people with HIV to enjoy long and productive lives. However, even when the virus is well controlled, many patients continue to face other health challenges that are not directly caused by active infection.
One of the most common concerns is cognitive decline. Studies have shown that about one in four people living with HIV develops problems with memory, attention, learning, or thinking.
These symptoms can range from mild forgetfulness to more serious difficulties that affect daily life. Scientists have spent years trying to understand why these problems occur, especially in people whose HIV is successfully treated.
Now, researchers at Northwestern University have uncovered a surprising clue. Their new study suggests that a class of flu drugs may help protect the brain by preserving important sugar molecules in the body.
The findings, published in the journal Med, could eventually lead to new treatments for cognitive decline in people with HIV and may even have implications for age-related diseases such as dementia.
The research began with blood samples collected from more than 100 people living with HIV. All participants were receiving antiretroviral treatment, but some had normal cognitive function while others showed signs of cognitive impairment.
The scientists focused on special sugar molecules known as glycans. These molecules are attached to proteins throughout the body and play important roles in regulating the immune system. One of their key jobs is helping keep inflammation under control.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. In the short term, it helps the body heal and fight disease. However, when inflammation continues for years, it can become harmful. Chronic inflammation has been linked to faster biological aging and increased risks of conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and other age-related illnesses.
The researchers discovered that people with cognitive problems showed greater breakdown of protective glycans. This loss appeared to be linked with increased inflammation and signs of accelerated aging.
To better understand the connection, the scientists conducted additional laboratory experiments using immune cells from people with HIV. They also used mouse models that mimic aspects of HIV-related disease.
These studies showed that the loss of protective glycans increased inflammation and contributed to changes associated with aging and cognitive decline.
The team then explored whether existing medications could help. They turned their attention to a group of drugs called sialidase inhibitors.
One well-known member of this group is Tamiflu, also known by its generic name oseltamivir. Tamiflu is commonly prescribed to treat influenza because it blocks an enzyme that helps flu viruses spread through the body.
In this study, however, the researchers used the drugs in a completely different way. Instead of targeting flu viruses, the drugs were used to block enzymes that break down protective glycans in the body.
The results were encouraging. In mice, the treatment helped preserve these sugar molecules, reduced inflammation, slowed biological aging, and improved memory-related outcomes. These findings suggest that protecting glycans may help reduce some of the harmful effects of chronic inflammation on the brain.
The researchers also found an interesting difference between men and women. The breakdown of protective glycans appeared to be more pronounced in women. According to the study, women generally experience slower changes in these sugar molecules before menopause.
However, around menopause, the changes accelerate and lead to a more inflammatory profile.
This finding may help explain why some age-related health risks differ between men and women and could guide future research into personalized treatments.
Although the findings are promising, the researchers stress that people should not begin taking flu medications to prevent memory loss. The study remains in the preclinical stage, meaning that the treatment has not yet been tested for this purpose in human clinical trials.
The next step will be to conduct additional studies to determine the safest and most effective doses and treatment schedules. Researchers are also investigating whether glycan levels could be used as blood biomarkers to identify people at higher risk of future cognitive decline.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
Source: Northwestern University.
