Brain ~1H-MRS Analysis of Asymptomatic HIV Infected Patients with Normal MR Findings

Objective To determine the brain 1H-MRS characters of asymptomatic HIV-infected patients with normal MR findings. Materials and Methods 28 asymptomatic HIV-infected patients and 30 health volunteers performed brain MRI plain scan and 1H-MRS.The areas under the three peaks of NAA,Cr,Cho were measured at the white and gray matter. The ratios of NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,NAA/Cho,(NAA+Cho)/Cr and(Cho+Cr)/NAA were calculated. Results In HIV-infected patients,NAA/Cr was decreased and (Cho+Cr)/NAA was increased at the white and gray matter. There were significant differences of NAA/Cr,NAA/Cho,(Cho+Cr)/NAA at gyrus frontalis superior between HIV-infected patients and volunteers. NAA/Cr,(NAA+Cho)/Cr,(Cho+Cr)/NAA at the superfrontal white matter and NAA/Cho,(Cho+Cr)/NAA at the parietal white matter had significant differences between HIV-infected patients and volunteers. Conclusion 1H-MRS is more sensitive in detecting CNS involvement in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients,therefore,be used for early detection of brain damage induced by HIV.