Cerebral proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in asymptomatic HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) demonstrates central nervous system abnormalities in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals.


METHODS
Both prospective and retrospective cross-sectional analyses of MRS in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals.


METHODS
Two specialists HIV/AIDS outpatient facilities in London.


METHODS
Eighty-four HIV-1 seropositive asymptomatic men; 29 HIV-1 antibody-negative homosexual men at high-risk for HIV infection and 48 HIV-1 antibody-negative men at low-risk for HIV infection as controls.


METHODS
Single voxel, gradient-localized proton MRS performed at 1.5 T with 135 msec echo-time and 1,600 msec repeat-time in an 8 ml volume of interest positioned in the parieto-occipital white matter. Spectroscopic results were expressed as ratios between the areas under the N-acetyl (NA), creatine (Cr) and choline (Cho) resonance peaks.


RESULTS
There were no differences between those controls at high and those at low-risk for HIV infection. Comparing the combined control groups with the asymptomatic seropositive patients there were statistically significant differences in NA/Cho, NA/Cr (both P < 0.05) and NA/(NA + Cho + Cr) (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormalities in cerebral biochemistry may be demonstrated by proton MRS during asymptomatic HIV-1 infection.
Wilkinson
I D
ID
Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, Middlesex Hospital, University College London Hospitals, NHS Trust, UK.
Miller
R F
RF
Miszkiel
K A
KA
Paley
M N
MN
Hall-Craggs
M A
MA
Baldeweg
T
T
Williams
I G
IG
Carter
S
S
Newman
S P
SP
Kendall
B E
BE
Catalan
J
J
Chinn
R J
RJ
Harrison
M J
MJ
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015215:Zidovudine