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Abstract #2131

Quantification of Frontal Glutamate Neurotranmission in Human HIV

Napapon Sailasuta1, Kimbery Shriner2, Kent Harris1, Thao T. Tran1,3, Osama Abulseoud4, Brian D. Ross1,5

1Clinical MR Spectroscopy, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA, United States; 2The Phil Simon Clinic, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, CA, United States; 3Rudi Schulte Research Institute, Santa Barbara, CA, United States; 4University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 5Rudi Schulte Research Institute, Santa Barbara , CA, United States


Despite successful treatment of HIV and AIDS, neuroimaging and neurospectroscopy abnormalities persist suggesting residual viral effects or unwanted neurological side effects of effective therapies. Elucidation of the recently described reduction in frontal lobe glutamate concentration in white matter of HIV-affected individuals requires independent 13C MRS measurement of glutamate turnover neurotransmitter rates in neurons and glia. This study develops the necessary frontal lobe assay of neuronal and axonal glutamate turnover by infusion of 2-13C glucose followed by low-power nOe 13C MRS in HIV and normal control subjects. Preliminary results indicate reduced 13C glutamate turnover in successfully treated HIV.