HIV-Associated Motor Neuron Disease: A Link with a Human Endogenous Retrovirus?

A motor neuron disease (MND) similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been reported in HIV-infected patients. Patients typically present with progressive weakness, muscle atrophy, and fasciculations; respiratory muscle weakness may develop. Some patients have improved after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Because a human endogenous retrovirus called HERV-K has been detected in patients with idiopathic ALS, and because the HIV Tat protein can activate HERV-K, investigators evaluated HERV-K levels in patients with HIV-associated MND.

Five HIV-infected patients with MND were referred to the National Institutes of Health for evaluation. Three patients who received antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 6 months after neurologic symp…