FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING IN HIV-1-INFECTED CHILDREN BORN TO SEROPOSITIVE MOTHERS

The aim of this work was to study cerebral function in vertically infe cted children with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). Methods: PE T with F-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was performed in eight ch ildren (2.5-5.5 yr): three with severe neurological symptoms and five without. Quantitative analysis was based on gray matter cortical and s ubcortical regions of interest for which glucose utilization was measu red. Results: Diffuse hypometabolism and subcortical hypermetabolism w ere found in the three children with severe neurological signs; the fi ve other children had temporo-occipital cortical hypometabolism, mainl y on the right side. Conclusion: Functional cerebral abnormalities see m to precede clinical symptoms in HIV-1 infection of the brain in chil dren.