Insult to injury-potential contribution of Coronavirus disease-19 to neuroinflammation and the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

Abstract

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are consequences of the effects of HIV-1 within the central nervous system (CNS).1,2 HAND are classified according to impairment severity, namely, asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, mild neurocognitive impairment, or HIV-associated dementia.3,4 In the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era, the more severe forms of HAND have significantly decreased, however, milder forms are persisting in 50% of people living with HIV (PLWH).5 Currently, the underlying neuropathophysiological mechanisms of HAND remain unclear. However, the common hypothesis for the persistence of HAND in the modern ART era is the continued immune activation and low-grade inflammation experienced by PLWH.