Open AccessRivastigmine decreases brain damage in HIV patients with mild cognitive deficits
Author(s) -
Perrotta Gaetano,
Bonnier Guillaume,
Meskaldji DjalelEddine,
Romascano David,
Aydarkhanov Ruslan,
Daducci Alessandro,
Simioni Samanta,
Cavassini Matthias,
Metral Melanie,
Lazeyras François,
Meuli Reto,
Krueger Gunnar,
Du Pasquier Renaud A.,
Granziera Cristina
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.493
Subject(s) - rivastigmine , medicine , neurocognitive , cognition , anesthesia , dementia , psychiatry , donepezil , disease
Rivastigmine has been shown to improve cognition in HIV + patients with minor neurocognitive disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying such beneficial effect are currently unknown. To assess whether rivastigmine therapy is associated with decreased brain inflammation and damage, we performed T1/T2* relaxometry and magnetization transfer imaging in 17 aviremic HIV + patients with minor neurocognitive disorders enrolled on a crossed over randomized rivastigmine trial. Rivastigmine therapy was associated with changes in MRI metrics indicating a decrease in brain water content (i.e., edema reabsorption) and/or reduced demyelination/axonal damage. Furthermore, MRI changes correlated with cognitive improvement on rivastigmine therapy.