danettejett's Journal

It is believed that HIV can cross the blood-brain barrier inside circulating monocytes in the bloodstream ("Trojan horse theory"). Once inside, these monocytes become activated and are transformed into macrophages. Activated monocytes release virions into the brain tissue proximate to brain microvessels. These viral particles likely attract the attention of sentinel brain microglia and initiate an inflammatory cascade that may cause tissue damage to the BBB. This inflammation is HIV encephalitis (HIVE). Instances of HIVE probably occur throughout the course of AIDS and is a precursor for HIV-associated dementia (HAD). The premier model for studying HIV and HIV encephalitis is the simian model.