HEROIN ADDICTION AND HIV ASSOCIATED NEURODEGENERATION INCLUDING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Objective. To summarize findings which conclude that heroin abuse may lead to the simultaneous presence of a chronic disease state. The increased risk of contracting HIV infection, central nervous system illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease’s onset and progression as a result of chronic heroin use will be examined while discussing TDP-43, alpha- synucleine, amyloid-beta 1-42, and p62-positive deposits. Background. Heroin abuse has been a compelling issue since the 1920s with over 200,000 users, with an increase in numbers every year. According to the CDC over 8,200 people died from heroin-related deaths in 2013, this is nearly four times as many heroin-related deaths that occurred in 2002. Methods. Sixteen published articles reporting on studies were reviewed from PubMed’s database. The following search terms used “Heroin addiction”, “Heroin Comorbidities”, “Heroin Alzheimer”. The articles reviewed the frequency of cases of heroin addiction associated with findings of progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV. Results. The articles used in this study reported a positive relationship of progression of Alzheimer’s or HIV disease, or both diseases in chronic heroin users. The following protein deposits were reported TDP-43, alpha- synucleine, and p62-positive deposits. These studies did not have sufficient 54 information on amyloid-beta 1-42 proteins. Conclusion. Further research and studies are highly recommended, but there is a clear trend of tau phosphorylation correlated to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV in chronic heroin users. Grants. N/A