The authors examined change in cerebral metabolic function over time by
using PET in HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with AIDS. Ten subjects
with AIDS received [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET scans and completed
a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The scan and test battery were
repeated after 6 months. Over time, the subjects showed increased relative
basal ganglia metabolism as well as increased parietal lobe metabolism.
There were no statistically significant changes in neuropsychological
performance. These results suggest that PET may be more sensitive than
traditional neuropsychological evaluation to subtle central nervous system
changes in AIDS.Abstract Teaser