White matter changes on ct brain scan are associated with neurobehavioral dysfunction in children with symptomatic HIV disease

Abstract

The effect of white matter abnormalities on neurobehavioral dysfunction was investigated in 58 children with symptomatic HIV-1 disease, 28 with CT white matter abnormalities and 30 matched (for age, gender, route of infection, and stage of disease) control patients with comparable levels of cortical atrophy, but no white matter abnormalities. Children with white matter abnormalities were more impaired on measures of general level of mental functioning (standard scores of 70.3 vs. 86.1; p < .05). They also scored lower than the group without white matter abnormalities on activities of daily living (76.9 vs. 87.4; p < .05), particularly those requiring self-help skills, and in socialization (79.5 vs. 89.3; p < .05). Furthermore, patients with white matter abnormalities exhibited higher levels of attention deficit/hyperactive behaviors (p < .05) and more severe autistic symptoms (p < .05). White matter abnormalities by themselves were, thus, associated with deficits in cognitive function and socio-emotional behavior. These findings are in partial agreement with the nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD) model. Although NLD profiles, in general, have been described in older children, the current results seem to suggest that antecedents for these behavior patterns can be found in much younger children with white matter abnormalities.