Acetylated Polyamines as Biomarkers of HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)

Acetylated Polyamines as Biomarkers of HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND)
 
Marketing Summary:
            Polyamines are molecules, present in all organisms, whose concentrations are regulated by the enzyme Spermine/Spermidine Acetyl transferase (SSAT).  SSAT works by inactivating polyamines. Once these polyamines are inactivated they are exported and excreted from cells. Some diseases, some hormones, and toxic compounds can trigger an increase in the activity of SSAT. NeuroAIDS are neurological complications resulting from AIDS that have been found to elevate the activity of SSAT.  In the United States neurological complications are observed in fifty percent of adult patients with AIDS. NeuroAIDS covers a wide range of neurological disorders like mild neuro-cognitive disturbance (MNCD) and HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Currently, there are no biomarkers for NeuroAIDS.
Recently, Temple University researchers have identified novel biomarkers for NeuroAIDs. Their studies have shown that these markers were elevated in both MNCD and HAD compared to normal cognitive function controls. There are several applications for these biomarkers that they envision. These applications include point of care for NeuroAIDS, for predicting neuroAIDS, for disease exacerbation, and therapeutic monitoring of NeuroAIDS.
 

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