Sir,
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important agent causing retrovirus infection. This infection results in immunodeficiency problem which can further lead to many clinical problems. HIV-associated neuroinflammation is an important neurological disorder that is due to the CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier.[1] To manage HIV-associated neuroinflammation, the present new focus is usually on CD16+ monocyte. The use of a therapeutic agent that can affect the CD16+ is expected to be a useful therapeutic approach. Here, the authors would like to discuss on the possible usefulness of haloperidol, a widely used antipsychotic drug.
Regarding the effect of haloperidol, it is accepted for usefulness in the management of neuropsychiatric problems such as delirium in HIV-infected patients.[2] Recently, haloperidol is also proposed as a possible inhibitor of HIV protease.[3] Here, the authors would like to discuss on another possible additional usefulness of haloperidol regarding CD16+ biological process in HIV-infected patients. Basically, haloperidol has anti-dopamine effect. Pathophysiologically, dopamine is reported for its association with CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier and the further consequent HIV-associated neuroinflammation.[4] Applying the standard common pathway mapping bioinformatics analysis, as used in the previous study,[4] the interrelationship among HIV infection and haloperidol neuroinflammation can be identified [Figure 1]. Hence, haloperidol that has actions against dopamine can further reduce the CD16+ monocyte transmigration across the blood–brain barrier and the further consequent HIV-associated neuroinflammation. Further study on the actual pharmacological effect of haloperidol in HIV patients is a very interesting research in clinical pharmacology.
Figure 1.
The interrelationship among human immunodeficiency virus infection and haloperidol neuroinflammation
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
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