Caroline Rae1, Lucette Adeline Cysique2,
Jae Muyng Lee3, Tammy Lane4, Kirsten Moffat5,
Andrew Carr6, Bruce James Brew7
1Neurosciences Research
Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2Brain
Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 3Neurosciences
Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; 4Psychology,
Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; 5Medical Imaging, St.
Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; 6Immunology &
Infectious Diseases, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia; 7Neurology,
St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
To test whether age and immune status affect neurocognitive and metabolic outcomes in HIV infection, we examined 61 clinically stable, virally controlled HIV+ individuals aged > 45y, and 16 HIV-negative demographically-comparable controls using neuropsychological testing and 1H-MRS. While, most HIV+ individuals showed sub-clinical forms of neurocognitive impairment, we found evidence of neuronal loss density/dysfunction (reduced NAA) reduced brain metabolism (reduced Glx) and elevated myo-inositol/creatine in caudate nucleus - a subcortical region traditionally affected in HIV infection. We also identified these abnormalities in posterior cingulate cortex, an area known to be affected by pathological aging.
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