Conditional Tat protein expression in the GT-tg bigenic mouse brain induces gray matter density reductions

► Tat protein is overexpressed in people with HIV. ► We used MRI to study effects of conditional Tat protein expression on mouse brain. ► We scanned fixed brains at 9.4 T to measure Tat effects on gray matter density. ► Affected areas are involved in learning and memory, which are abnormal in HIV. ► Thus, Tat-induced brain changes could induce cognitive deficits in those with HIV.