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Abstract #1559

The Effects of HIV and Hepatitis C Infection on Diffusion Tensor Imaging Measures

Huiling Peng1, Jewell Thomas1, Joseph Mettenburg2, Avi Snyder1, Tammie Benzinger2, David Clifford1, Robert Paul3, Beau Ances4

1Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; 2Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; 3Psychology, University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; 4Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO , United States


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a frequent co-infection with HIV. Both affect brain function raising the possibility of synergistic interactions. We investigate the relationship between neurological function and white matter integrity using DTI in mono (HIV+) (n=15) vs. co-infected (HIV+/HCV+) (n=13) participants. Regions-of-interest corresponding to the cingulum and genu of the corpus callosum were selected. Co-infected participants were more impaired than mono-infected HIV+ subjects on neuropsychological testing but no significant differences were seen for DTI values. The combination of HIV and HCV co-infection affected measures within the brief neurocognitive screening but not structural neuroimaging measures.