This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

Many people living with HIV report having memory loss or other cognitive problems that can sound a lot like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike their senior counterparts, however, cognitively impaired people with HIV are often in their 40s and 50s—and the early decline can make it difficult to hold jobs and maintain personal lives.

Researchers have been looking for similarities between the two diseases for years. And new findings, published online today in the journal Neurology, have confirmed a key commonality: abnormal distribution of a protein known as amyloid beta.

Read the full article HERE