Recently, it has become recognized that HIV infection is associated with increased production of the beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) which is a characteristic of AD.
Axonal damage represented by accumulation of beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) develops in numerous central nervous system (CNS) diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
While foci of intense APP staining were noted in white matter not related to HIV infection, they were associated with foci of opportunistic infections (e.g. due to CMV or PML).