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

The aim of this work was to study cerebral function in vertically infected children with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). Methods: PET with F-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was performed in eight children (2.5-5.5 yr): three with severe neurological symptoms and five without. Quantitative analysis was based on gray matter cortical and subcortical regions of interest for which glucose utilization was measured. Results: Diffuse hypometabolism and subcortical hypermetabolism were found in the three children with severe neurological signs; the five other children had temporo-occipital cortical hypometabolism, mainly on the right side. Conclusion: Functional cerebral abnormalities seem to precede clinical symptoms in HIV-1 infection of the brain in children.