Incidence, risk factors, and pathogenic mechanisms in HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)

• Grant number: 22/00132-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Simao do Rosario Casseb
• Grantee: Wilson Domingues
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/07239-2 - Incidence, risk factors, and pathogenic mechanism of neurocognitive disorders (HAND) among HIV-1-infected subjects, AP.TEM

Abstract

The diagnosis of the HIV associated neurocognitive disturbances (HAND) is difficult, especially in the first stage of the disease, preventing the early treatment and prevention of more severe forms. HIV can remain latent in the CNS for many years, and a subclinical infection associated with comorbidities (eg, metabolic syndrome, drug use and hepatitis C) may lead to immune activation and low-grade chronic inflammation. Immunological effects and the possibility of developing neurocognitive changes due to HIV infection cannot be ruled out, despite the suppression of viral RNA in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Some authors argue that a higher rate of drug penetration (CPE) in the CNS could be associated with a greater chance of undetectable viral load in the CNS, as well as with better cognitive functioning. This proposal aims to combine several previous studies describing virological and immunological factors that could be considered as potential markers for an earlier diagnosis of the neurocognitive changes associated with HIV infection, as well as more recently identified factors.