Brain Metabolite Concentrations of White Matter and Grey Matter in Perinatal HIV Infected Adults Using a Whole-Brain MR Spectroscopic Imaging

With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), perinatally HIV-infected children have been able to transition into adulthood. However, the long term impact of HIV infection and the potential toxic effects of long term use of antiretroviral therapeutics on brain metabolites are not completely characterized. In this study, a whole-brain MRSI method is used to quantitate changes in brain metabolites, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), total-creatine (Cr) and total-choline (Cho), in PHIV+ adults compared to matched controls. Results show significant alterations of proton MRS-observed metabolites in the whole brain of PHIV+ as they reach adulthood despite their adherence to ART.