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REVIEW article

Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Systems Microbiology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1428239

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder: key implications of the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Provisionally accepted
Aizhen Hu Aizhen Hu 1Silvere D Zaongo Silvere D Zaongo 1Vijay Harypursat Vijay Harypursat 1Xin Wang Xin Wang 2Jing Ouyang Jing Ouyang 1*Yaokai Chen Yaokai Chen 1
  • 1 Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
  • 2 chonggang general hospital, Chongqing, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is now recognized to be relatively common in people living with HIV (PLWH), and remains a common cause of cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, the fundamental pathogenic processes underlying this specific outcome of HIV infection have not as yet been fully elucidated.With increased interest in research related to the microbiota-gut-brain axis, the gutbrain axis has been shown to play critical roles in regulating central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. PLWH are characterized by a particular affliction, referred to as gut-associated dysbiosis syndrome, which provokes an alteration in microbial composition and diversity, and of their associated metabolite composition within the gut. Interestingly, the gut microbiota has also been recognized as a key element which both positively and negatively influences human brain health, including the functioning and development of the central nervous system (CNS). In this review, based on published evidence, we critically discuss the relevant interactions between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and the pathogenesis of HAND in the context of HIV infection. It is likely that HAND manifestation in PLWH mainly results from (i) gut-associated dysbiosis syndrome and a leaky gut on the one hand and (ii) inflammation on the other hand. In other words, the preceding features of HIV infection negatively alter the composition of the gut microbiota (microbes and their associated metabolites) and promote proinflammatory immune responses which singularly or in tandem damage neurons and/or induce inadequate neuronal signaling. Thus, HAND is fairly prevalent in PLWH. This work aims to demonstrate that in the quest to prevent and possibly treat HAND, the gut microbiota may ultimately represent a therapeutically targetable 'host factor'.

    Keywords: HIV, Gut Microbiota, Hand, Neurocognitive disorder, microbiota-gutbrain axis

    Received: 21 May 2024; Accepted: 23 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Hu, Zaongo, Harypursat, Wang, Ouyang and Chen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Jing Ouyang, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.