Effects of HIV-1 TAT protein and methamphetamine exposure on visual discrimination and executive function in mice.

Effects of HIV-1 TAT protein and methamphetamine exposure on visual discrimination and executive function in mice. Behav Brain Res. 2018 Apr 27;: Authors: Kesby JP, Fields JA, Chang A, Coban H, Achim CL, Semenova S, TMARC Group Abstract Mild neurocognitive impairments are common in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV-encoded proteins, such as trans-activator of transcription (TAT), contribute to neuropathology and cognitive function in medicated subjects. The combination of TAT and comorbid methamphetamine use may further impair neurocognitive function in HIV-positive individuals by affecting dopaminergic systems in the brain. The current study examined the effects of TAT protein expression and methamphetamine exposure on cognitive function and dopamine systems in mice. Transgenic mice with inducible brain expression of the TAT protein were exposed to a binge methamphetamine regimen. TAT expression was induced via a doxycycline-containing diet during the final stage of the regimen and maintained throughout cognitive testing. Learning and executive function were assessed using an operant visual discrimination protocol, with a strategy switch and reversal. TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure improved visual discrimination learning. Combined TAT expression and methamphetamine exposure increased perseverative errors during reversal learning. TAT expression altered reversal learning by improving early sta...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research