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Basal ganglia metabolite abnormalities in minor motor disorders associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

H J von Giesen1, H J Wittsack, F Wenserski

  • 1Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Postfach 10 10 07, D-40001 Düsseldorf, Germany. giesenhj@uni-duesseldorf.de

Archives of Neurology
|August 31, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Minor motor disorders (MMDs) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are linked to brain changes. Sustained MMDs show glial proliferation in the basal ganglia, unlike incipient MMDs.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Minor motor disorders (MMDs) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are indicators of potential HIV-1 dementia and mortality.
  • The temporal progression and underlying neuropathological mechanisms of HIV-1 MMDs remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the correlation between minor motor disorders (MMDs) in HIV-1 patients, evaluated via psychomotor speed, and metabolic changes within the basal ganglia.
  • To utilize proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to detect these metabolic alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was employed to assess cerebral metabolite abnormalities in the basal ganglia of 32 HIV-1-seropositive patients and 14 HIV-1-seronegative controls.
  • Patients were categorized into three groups: no MMD, incipient MMD, and sustained MMD, based on electrophysiologic testing of psychomotor speed.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in the myoinositol/creatine ratio were observed in the basal ganglia across the three patient groups (P =.02).
  • Patients with sustained MMD exhibited elevated myoinositol/creatine ratios, suggesting glial proliferation.
  • No significant differences in N-acetyl compounds, which indicate neuronal loss, were found among the groups.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic alterations in the basal ganglia were not evident in HIV-1 patients with incipient MMD.
  • Sustained MMD in HIV-1 patients was associated with significantly altered metabolic spectra indicative of glial proliferation.

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