A review of potential microbiome-gut-brain axis mediated neurocognitive conditions in persons living with HIV

Shannan Rich, MSE; Emily Klann, MPH; Vaughn Bryant, PhD; Veronica Richards, MPH; Akemi Wijayabahu, MSE; Kendall Bryant, PhD; Volker Mai, PhD, MPH; Robert Cook, MD, MPH

Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health (Dec 2020)

A review of potential microbiome-gut-brain axis mediated neurocognitive conditions in persons living with HIV

Shannan Rich, MSE,
Emily Klann, MPH,
Vaughn Bryant, PhD,
Veronica Richards, MPH,
Akemi Wijayabahu, MSE,
Kendall Bryant, PhD,
Volker Mai, PhD, MPH,
Robert Cook, MD, MPH

Affiliations

Shannan Rich, MSE: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Emily Klann, MPH: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Corresponding author. 2055 Mowry Road (Emerging Pathogens Institute), University of Florida, Gainesville, 39 FL, 32611, USA.
Vaughn Bryant, PhD: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Veronica Richards, MPH: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Akemi Wijayabahu, MSE: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Kendall Bryant, PhD: Alcohol and HIV/AIDS Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, USA
Volker Mai, PhD, MPH: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Robert Cook, MD, MPH: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9
p. 100168

Abstract

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The microbiome-gut-brain axis, or the various interactions between the gut microbiome and the brain, has been of recent interest in the context of precision medicine research for a variety of disease states. Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) experience higher degrees of neurocognitive decline than the general population, correlating with a disruption of the normal gut microbiome composition (i.e. dysbiosis). While the nature of this correlation remains to be determined, there is the potential that the microbiome-gut-brain axis contributes to the progression of this disease. Previous research has established that the pathology associated with HIV induces alterations in the composition of gut microbiome, including a shift from Bacteroides to Prevotella dominance, and compromises gut barrier integrity, which may promote microbial translocation and consequent systemic inflammation and exacerbation of neuroinflammation. Further, though the use of antiretroviral therapy has been found to partially counteract HIV-related dysbiosis, it may also induce its own dysbiosis patterns, presenting a unique challenge for this research.More recent research has suggested the gut microbiome as a target for therapeutic interventions to improve symptoms associated with a variety of disease states, including HIV. Early findings are promising and warrant further research regarding the gut microbiome as a potential modifiable factor to improve health outcomes for PLWH. This review will discuss the current knowledge concerning the neuropathogenesis of HIV in the brain, role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation, and the relationship between HIV-status and the gut microbiome, followed by a conclusion that synthesizes this information within the context of the microbiome-gut-brain axis among PLWH. This review will also highlight the limitations of existing studies and propose future directions of this research.

Published in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health

ISSN: 2666-3546 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/brain-behavior-and-immunity-health

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Abstract

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