MONOAMINE METABOLITE LEVELS IN CSF OF SIV-INFECTED RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA)

INCREASING evidence suggests the involvement of the basal ganglia in H IV-1-infected patients. We used SIV-macaques, an animal model of HIV-1 infection, to investigate changes in CSF biogenic amine metabolites o ver time and compared them with control animals. The dopamine and sero tonin metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanilli c acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were analysed by reverse-phase chromatography with electrochemical detection. DOPAC co ncentrations were significantly increased in SIV-infected animals comp ared with controls. 5-HIAA and HVA remained unchanged. However, the lo ngitudinal assessment of metabolites up to 3 months post-infection rev ealed a significant increase in 5-HIAA. Our results reflect the effect s of SIV early stage infection on monoamine systems in brain and furth er validate the simian model for AIDS research.