RT Journal
A1 von Giesen H, Wittsack H, Wenserski F, Köller H, Hefter H, Arendt G
T1 BAsal ganglia metabolite abnormalities in minor motor disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1
JF Archives of Neurology
JO Archives of Neurology
YR 2001
FD August 1
VO 58
IS 8
SP 1281
OP 1286
DO 10.1001/archneur.58.8.1281
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archneur.58.8.1281
AB Background 
    Minor motor disorders (MMDs) associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) predict HIV-1 dementia and death. Little is known about the time course and neuropathologic mechanisms of HIV-1 MMDs.Objective 
    To investigate the relationship between HIV-1 MMDs, as assessed by psychomotor speed, and metabolic alterations in the basal ganglia, as detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Patients and Methods 
    A total of 32 HIV-1–seropositive patients (10 with no MMD, 8 with incipient MMD, and 14 with sustained MMD, assessed through electrophysiologic testing of psychomotor speed including contraction times; 29 treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy) and 14 HIV-1–seronegative control subjects were examined for cerebral metabolite abnormalities in the basal ganglia by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Results 
    The 3 patient groups showed significantly different ratios of myoinositol/creatine (P = .02) in the basal ganglia. Whereas patients with no MMD or incipient MMD showed normal ratios, patients with sustained MMD showed higher values for myoinositol/creatine as a sign of glial proliferation. No differences in N-acetyl compounds, indicative of neuronal loss, were found.Conclusion 
    Whereas metabolic alterations in the basal ganglia were not detected in patients with incipient HIV-1 MMD, patients with sustained HIV-1 MMD did have significantly altered metabolic spectra indicative of glial proliferation.