Cerebrospinal fluid beta sub(2)-microglobulin in patients with AIDS dementia complex: An expanded series including response to zidovudine treatment

To determine the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta sub(2)-microglobulin ( beta sub(2)M) and severity of AIDS dementia complex (ADC), and between CSF beta sub(2)M and response of ADC to zidovudine. A prospective study was conducted in which patients were assessed neurologically and neuropsychologically and computed tomography of the brain and CSF studies were performed. Patients were staged according to severity of ADC on clinical criteria. Neuropsychological test scores were converted to an impairment score. CSF beta sub(2)M was quantified in both serum and CSF of all patients and in 10 patients with pre- and post-zidovudine assessments. CSF beta sub(2)M may be a valuable marker of ADC severity and response to antiviral therapy.