Harnessing Single Cell Epigenome-wide Profiling of Myeloid Cells to Compare Alzheimer's from HIV-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction

This study will harness the power of epigenetics utilizing cell type specific signatures and cutting- edge single cell technologies to define immune biomarkers that can distinguish HIV-associated cognitive dysfunction from the Mild Cognitive Impairment stage of Alzheimer's disease (MCI-AD) in individuals over 60 years of age. We hypothesize that a rare population of circulating monocytes in blood defined by an indelible epigenetic profile related to the central nervous system is present in individuals with HIV-associated cognitive dysfunction compared with age-matched cognitively normal individuals with HIV over age 60 on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and individuals with MCI-AD. This study is co-led with Dr. Lishomwa Ndhlovu at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. 

Location: San Francisco, USA

BALANCE Investigators: Victor Valcour, MD