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Abstract #4269

Decreased Brain Glx Levels in HIV Dementia: A 3 Tesla MR Spectroscopy Study

Mona Adel Mohamed1,2, Peter B. Barker1,2, Richard L. Skolasky3, Richard T. Moxley3, Martin G. Pomper1, Ned C. Sacktor3

1Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Kennedy Krieger Institute, FM Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Baltimore, MD, United States; 3Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States


The major finding of the current study is that brain MRS performed at 3T reveals decreased levels of Glx in the frontal white matter (FWM) of patients with HIV-associated dementia (HAD) compared to those without dementia. FWM Glx decreases were also associated with poorer cognitive function, specifically impaired executive and fine motor functioning in HAD. 3T MRS measurements of Glx may be a useful indicator of neuronal loss or dysfunction in patients with HIV infection.