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Abstract #4702

Early detection of subtle neurodegeneration in non-cognitively impaired HIV patients using TBSS and VBM

Nicholas G Dowell 1 , Cynthia Wong 1 , Emilie Elliot 2 , Roshani Patel 2 , Paul S Tofts 1 , Martin Fisher 3 , and Mara Cercignani 1

1 Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom, 2 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 3 Elton John Centre, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, Brighton, United Kingdom

The introduction of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has increased the life expectancy and quality of life of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In spite of this treatment, the incidence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders has continued to rise. Here we study 24 non-cognitively-implaired HIV+ patients (12 untreated, and 12 treated with HAART) to detect early subtle brain changes. We use diffusion tensor imaging and voxel-based morphometry to show that mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity is significantly increased in the patient cohort. Volume loss is also detected among the patient group. This study reveals that subtle brain changes can be detected before the manifestation of cognitive deficit.

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