Perrotta, GaetanoBonnier, GuillaumeMeskaldji, Djalel‐EddineRomascano, DavidAydarkhanov, RuslanDaducci, AlessandroSimioni, SamantaCavassini, MatthiasMetral, MelanieLazeyras, FrançoisMeuli, RetoKrueger, GunnarDu Pasquier, Renaud A.Granziera, Cristina2018-02-262017Perrotta, G., G. Bonnier, D. Meskaldji, D. Romascano, R. Aydarkhanov, A. Daducci, S. Simioni, et al. 2017. “Rivastigmine decreases brain damage in HIV patients with mild cognitive deficits.” Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 4 (12): 915-920. doi:10.1002/acn3.493. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/acn3.493.http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:34868920Abstract 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.en-USBrief CommunicationJournal Article2018-02-2610.1002/acn3.493