Autonomic Neuropathy, GI Motility, and Inflammation in HIV

Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore a possible link between the autonomic nervous system and immune function in patients with HIV. Sometimes HIV can cause these nerves to function abnormally, this is called HIV-associated autonomic neuropathy (HIV-AN). HIV-AN is a condition that is different from person to person. In some people it causes no symptoms and is not harmful, in others it may cause symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or problems urinating. Most people with HIV-AN don't know that they have it. One of the important nerves in the autonomic nervous system is the vagus nerve. Abnormal function of the vagus nerve may cause stomach and intestinal slowing, which could lead to an overgrowth of bacteria. The body senses these bacteria and tries to fight them, leading to inflammation. In this study the researchers will test whether abnormal function of the vagus nerve in HIV is associated with stomach slowing and overgrowth of bacteria, and if a drug called pyridostigmine can help.

Timeline

Start

2015-11

Primary completion

2018-06-01

Completion

2018-06-01

Publications

• Background Deeks SG, Tracy R, Douek DC. Systemic effects of inflammation on health during chronic HIV infection. Immunity. 2013 Oct 17;39(4):633-45. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.10.001.
• Background Marchetti G, Cozzi-Lepri A, Merlini E, Bellistri GM, Castagna A, Galli M, Verucchi G, Antinori A, Costantini A, Giacometti A, di Caro A, D'arminio Monforte A; ICONA Foundation Study Group. Microbial translocation predicts disease progression of HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients with high CD4+ cell count. AIDS. 2011 Jul 17;25(11):1385-94. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283471d10.
• Background Robinson-Papp J, Sharma S, Simpson DM, Morgello S. Autonomic dysfunction is common in HIV and associated with distal symmetric polyneuropathy. J Neurovirol. 2013 Apr;19(2):172-80. doi: 10.1007/s13365-013-0160-3. Epub 2013 Apr 12.
• Background Robinson-Papp J, Sharma SK. Autonomic neuropathy in HIV is unrecognized and associated with medical morbidity. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2013 Oct;27(10):539-43. doi: 10.1089/apc.2013.0188. Epub 2013 Sep 13.
• Background George NS, Sankineni A, Parkman HP. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in gastroparesis. Dig Dis Sci. 2014 Mar;59(3):645-52. doi: 10.1007/s10620-012-2426-7. Epub 2012 Oct 5.

Drugs

Indications