Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Measures of Metabolite in HIV: A pilot study

Motivation: Neurocognitive impairment in HIV and compromised neuronal integrity are characterized by varying metabolite levels. However, ADC values of metabolites have not been reported. Goal(s): To measure the metabolite ADC values at multiple locations in the brain and compare between HIV+ and healthy control groups. Approach: Use a diffusion weighted radial echo planar spectroscopic imaging technique with single-shot diffusion trace-weighted scheme to measure the metabolite ADC values. Results: Statistically significant variations were observed in Water and tCr ADCs. Further analysis of metabolite ratios showed significantly reduced tNAA and increased tCr and tCho in HIV patients compared to HC. Impact: Metabolite ADC values in HIV brain compared to HC is demonstrated using single-shot diffusion trace-weighted DW-REPSI. Statistically significant variations were observed in Water and tCr ADCs. Metabolite ratios showed significantly reduced tNAA and increased tCr and tCho in HIV patients.