MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ABNORMALITIES IN HIV-INFECTION - A STUDY IN THE DRUG-USER RISK GROUP

Cognitive impairment is a frequent complication of advanced human immu nodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. However, structural imaging of the brain has not revealed abnormalities that precede the onset of cl inical abnormalities. Cranial magnetic resonance (MR) studies were per formed in 28 male subjects with intravenous drug use histories; nine w ere HIV-1 seronegative, 11 were HIV-1 seropositive but asymptomatic, a nd eight were seropositive and met symptomatic criteria for acquired i mmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Cortical atrophy, but not the degree of ventricular enlargement or signal abnormalities, was increased in the seropositive group compared with the seronegative group and also d iffered between asymptomatic seropositive and seronegative patients. A n increased level of cortical atrophy may reflect the early impact of HIV-1 infection on the brain.