NIH Logo Millions of people across the globe are apparently suffering from HIV and understanding this ailment is a necessity. In a major breakthrough, researchers have found the seeming way human body reacts to early HIV infection. The research also explains the nerve cell damage that may be linked with the disease.

The investigation conducted on a new mouse model enlightens about neuronal loss that presumably occurs in the initial stages of HIV infection. It was suggested that HIV infection of the nervous system paves way for inflammatory responses, changes in brain cells and damage to neurons. The only animal model for analyzing the early stages of HIV infection may be the rhesus macaque. However, the newly developed rodent model appears beneficial for learning about the primary neurological complications of HIV infection in humans.

Since the world is supposedly unaware of any appropriate treatment for HIV, analyzing this ailment can aid in developing novel treatments. Dr. Howard Gendelman, one of the primary investigators and colleagues presume that the research can help to introduce better treatments that can be used early in the disease process.

The research is published in the Journal of Neuroscience.