Cingulate transcranial direct current stimulation in adults with HIV.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Neuronal dysfunction is a key factor in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
• The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is frequently injured in people with HIV (PWH) and implicated in HAND.
• Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) offers a potential therapeutic approach for HAND by enhancing neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of anodal tDCS targeting the dorsal ACC (dACC) in adults with HIV.
• To investigate the effects of tDCS on cognitive performance and brain connectivity in PWH.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, partial crossover pilot study was conducted.
• Eleven PWH received ten sessions of either sham or cingulate tDCS over 2-3 weeks.
• Neuropsychological tests and resting-state functional MRI were used to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• Cingulate tDCS reduced perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the ratio of Trail Making Test-B to A.
• Anodal tDCS increased functional connectivity between the dACC and the right dorsal striatum.
• No significant differences in self-reported discomfort were found between tDCS and sham conditions.

Conclusions:

• Cingulate tDCS is safe and well-tolerated in PWH.
• This neuromodulation technique shows potential for improving cognitive deficits and brain function in HAND.
• A larger-scale study is recommended to confirm these preliminary findings.