DISTINCT HIV-1 STRAINS AND NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

Although the role of specific lentivirus strains that do or do not induce neurological disease remains controversial, evidence from animal models suggests that distinct SIV and FIV strains are respon­sible for development of brain disease.^151-153 In particular, specific sequences within the Env gene were shown to influence the development of animal lentivirus neurological disease.¹⁵⁴,¹⁵⁵ Specific mutations were also identified within the V1 and V3 domains of brain-derived gp120 sequences that differed between AIDS patients with and without HAD.¹⁵⁶,¹⁵⁷ However, it is clear that brain- derived HIV-1 sequences from AIDS patients with or without HAD exhibit significantly greater molecular diversity among HAD patients, depending on the individual viral gene, which may impact on neuropathogenesis.^156-159