Executive Functions Rating Scale and Neurobiochemical Profile in HIV-Positive Individuals

Vojislava Bugarski Ignjatovic; Jelena Mitrovic; Dusko Kozic; Jasmina Boban; Daniela Maric; Snezana Brkic

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01238

Frontiers in Psychology (Jul 2018)

Executive Functions Rating Scale and Neurobiochemical Profile in HIV-Positive Individuals

Vojislava Bugarski Ignjatovic,
Jelena Mitrovic,
Dusko Kozic,
Jasmina Boban,
Daniela Maric,
Snezana Brkic

Affiliations

Vojislava Bugarski Ignjatovic: Department for Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Jelena Mitrovic: Department for Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Dusko Kozic: Department for Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Jasmina Boban: Department for Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Daniela Maric: Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Snezana Brkic: Department for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01238
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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The set of complex cognitive processes, that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior, known as executive functions (EF), are traditionally associated with the prefrontal cortex and commonly assessed with laboratory based tests and conventional neuroimaging. In an effort to produce a more complete and ecologically valid understanding of executive functioning, the rating scales have been developed in order to assess the behavioral aspects of EF within an everyday real-world context. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between behavioral aspects of EF measured by rating scale and neurometabolic profile in neurologically asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals under cART, measured using multi-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (mvMRS). The sample comprised 39 HIV-positive adult male participants, stable on cART and 39 healthy HIV-negative volunteers. Both groups completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A). HIV-positive group additionally underwent long-echo three-dimensional mvMRS to determine neurobiochemical profile in the anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) of both hemispheres. Three dominant neurometabolites were detected: N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), the neuronal marker; choline (Cho), the marker of membrane metabolism and gliosis and creatine (Cr), the reference marker. Ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were analyzed. The initially detected significant correlations between age, current CD4, BRIEF-A subscales Inhibit, Shift, Emotional Control, Plan/Organize, Self Monitoring and ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr in the dorsal and ventral part of the ACG, were lost after the introduction of Bonferroni corrections. Also, there were no significant differences between HIV–positive and HIV–negative group on any of BRIEF-A subscales. Such results possibly imply that stable cART regimen contributes to preservation of behavioral aspects of EF in asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals. Even though a subtle deficit in some aspects of EF might exist, it would not be manifest if behavioral aspect was assessed using EF rating scale. Further explanation might be that expected HIV-related changes in neurometabolic profile of the ACG under cART are not reflected in those behavioral aspects that are measurable by EF rating scale.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology

ISSN: 1664-1078 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology

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