Antiretroviral therapy and its influence on the stage of brain damage in patients with HIV - 1H MRS evaluation.

Background: MR proton spectroscopy (1H MRS) enables early detection of metabolic changes, which occur in the course of AIDS Dementia Complex Syndrome (ADC). The goal of the study was the evaluation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its influence on the character and intensity of metabolic changes in brain 1H MRS spectra in clinically asymptomatic HIV-infected patients as well as search for correlation between the treatment and 1H MR spectroscopy results and immune deficit degree.

Material/methods: In the group of 20 HIV+ patients, the examination of the central nervous system (CNS), MR and 1H MRS were conducted twice:before HAART treatment and during the therapy; on average after 6 months (4 -9 months of treatment).