| Abstract |
 Dr.
Paul seeks to utilize recently developed neuroimaging methods
to examine central nervous system abnormalities in HIV infected
subjects. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a noninvasive
functional neuroimaging technique that determines the degree
and direction of anisotropic diffusion across neural tissues.
As such, DTI provides a highly robust and sensitive method
to examine brain tissue abnormalities. The primary advantage
of DTI is the opportunity to identify functional abnormalities
of the white matter that are believed to precede the development
of structural damage visualized on standard MRI scans. Dr.
Paul proposes to collect DTI and neuropsychological data on
a total of 30 subjects (10 controls, 10 asymptomatic HIV positive,
and 10 symptomatic HIV positive) according to specific selection
criterion outlined. He will then compare measures of diffusivity
from regions of interest determined apriori, and the neuroimaging
findings will be examined in conjunction with the neuropsychological
and neuropsychiatric variables.
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