Abnormal T2 Relaxation Rates as a Measure of Iron Concentration in HIV-Positive Subjects

Eric Keith Baxter¹, Linda Chang², Thomas Ernst², Victor Andrew Stenger

As the brain ages, iron deposition in subcortical structures may play an important role in the mental health of patients. This is especially true in patients with degenerative brain diseases such as HIV. Analysis of R2 relaxation rates in HIV positive and negative subjects (ages 20 to 70 years) demonstrated increased iron content with age in subcortical brain structures, higher iron content in the thalamus of HIV subjects, and interactions between HIV status and age. The findings suggest that iron deposition may predominately affect the putamen and thalamus of HIV subjects, and contribute to brain degeneration in younger HIV patients.