Structural gray matter change early in male patients with HIV

The purpose of this study is to characterize brain gray matter volumetric changes in HIV seropositive without neurocognitive impairment and seronegative men in Asia. We investigate 36 males with HIV seropositive (mean age 34.5±9.1 years) and 33 age- and gender-matched seronegative controls (mean age 31.4±7.6 years) in Asia. The cognitive competence of 36 males with HIV seropositive has no impaired based on performance in the international HIV dementia scale. High-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is performed on a 3.0 T MR system using a standard 32-channel birdcage head coil. Voxel-based morphometry is used to derive volumetric measurements at the level of the individual voxel (p < 0.001, none corrected for multiple comparisons). Compared to the control group, HIV seropositive male lower gray matter volumes are found in left inferior frontal gyrus triangular part and orbital part, left superior temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus and ant cingulum; significant increases gray matter volumes can be seen in Periaqueductal gray and gray around lateral ventricle. HIV infection can change the gray matter volume early without cognitive competence impaired and MR can recognize that changes.