Journal article
HIV and Low Omega-3 Levels May Aggravate Sex Differences in Hippocampal Volume in African Americans
Brain, behavior, & immunity. Health, Vol.45, 100988
05/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2025.100988
PMCID: PMC12005316
PMID: 40248088
Abstract
Sex differences in hippocampal volumes are well-documented, but their interaction with HIV status and omega-3 fatty acids—particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—remains unclear, especially in underserved populations. This study examines how HIV and omega-3 fatty acids influence sex differences in hippocampal volume and explores whether cognitive performance related to episodic memory modifies the association of omega-3 levels with hippocampal volume, considering both HIV status and sex.
We enrolled 166 participants aged over 45 years from a Baltimore, Maryland cohort. Brain MRIs were performed using a 3.0-T Siemens scanner, and volumetric segmentation was conducted with FreeSurfer (version 6.0), adjusting for intracranial volume (ICV).
Our study found that: (1) Among HIV-negative participants, females had significantly lower hippocampal volumes than males in 1 of 26 regions, whereas HIV-positive females had lower volumes in 13 of 26 regions (p<0.006 for HIV-negative vs. HIV-positive females), (2) In HIV-positive individuals with EPA levels ≤0.40%, females exhibited lower volumes in 11 of 26 regions, compared to no differences in those with EPA levels >0.40% (p=0.0003 for ≤0.40% vs. >0.40%), (3) Across all participants, lower EPA and DHA levels were associated with greater sex differences in hippocampal volumes, which diminished or disappeared at higher EPA and DHA levels (p<0.00001 for EPA ≤0.40% vs. >0.40%; p=0.004 for DHA ≤2.0% vs. >2.0%), and (4) Among Adults with lower episodic memory, higher log-scaled EPA levels were independently associated with greater hippocampal volume.
HIV may amplify sex differences in hippocampal volumes, disproportionately affecting females. Higher EPA and DHA levels may mitigate these effects, suggesting a protective role against hippocampal atrophy. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and explore whether the benefits extend to males with HIV or individuals without HIV.
•HIV-negative females showed lower volumes than males in 1 of 26 hippocampal regions.•HIV-positive females had lower volumes in 13 of 26 hippocampal regions.•Lower EPA and DHA levels linked to smaller hippocampal volumes in females vs. males.•Higher EPA and DHA reduced sex differences, with significant EPA/DHA group effects.•HIV amplifies sex differences in hippocampal volumes, notably affecting women.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- HIV and Low Omega-3 Levels May Aggravate Sex Differences in Hippocampal Volume in African Americans
- Creators
- Hong Lai - University of Maryland, BaltimoreJiachen Zhuo - University of Maryland, BaltimoreGlenn Treisman - Johns Hopkins UniversityGary Gerstenblith - Johns Hopkins UniversityDavid D. Celentano - Johns Hopkins UniversityYihong Yang - National Institute on Drug AbuseBetty Jo Salmeron - National Institute on Drug AbuseHong Gu - National Institute on Drug AbuseThorsten M. Leucker - Johns Hopkins UniversityXiao Liang - University of Maryland, BaltimoreRaul N. Mandler - National Institute on Drug AbuseJag Khalsa - University of Maryland, BaltimoreÓscar Peña-Nogales - QMENTA, US Headquarters, Boston, MA, USAShaoguang Chen - University of Maryland, BaltimoreShenghan Lai - University of Maryland, BaltimoreElana Rosenthal - University of Maryland, BaltimoreKarl Goodkin - The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyVincent A. Magnotta - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Brain, behavior, & immunity. Health, Vol.45, 100988
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bbih.2025.100988
- PMID
- 40248088
- PMCID
- PMC12005316
- NLM abbreviation
- Brain Behav Immun Health
- ISSN
- 2666-3546
- eISSN
- 2666-3546
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Grant note
- US National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health: NIH R01DA12777, R01DA15020, R01DA25524, R01DA035632, R21DA048780, U01DA040325 NIDA-IRP
Research reported in this publication was supported by grants from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (NIH R01DA12777, R01DA15020, R01DA25524, R01DA035632, R21DA048780, and U01DA040325) . Drs. Yihong Yang, Betty Jo Salmeron, and Hong Gu were supported by NIDA-IRP.
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2025
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Radiology; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984808282902771
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