Shining Light into Adolescent HIV Neuroplasticity: A Study of the Prefrontal Cortex Using Functional Near Infrared...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Virology

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compromises brain function and cognition by crossing the blood-brain barrier.
• Standard combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) does not fully restore cognitive function in pediatric and adolescent HIV.
• There is a need for interventions to enhance cognition in adolescents living with HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of attention training in improving cognitive function in adolescents with HIV.
• To assess changes in brain hemodynamic responses associated with attention training.

Main Methods:

• Participants completed the Stroop Colour Word Test (SCWT) to assess attention and inhibitory control.
• Functional near-infrared spectrometry (fNIRS) measured prefrontal cortex hemodynamic responses before and after attention training.
• Compared brain activity changes between an HIV+ group receiving attention training and an HIV+ control group.

Main Results:

• Attention training led to improved behavioral performance on the SCWT.
• A decrease in oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex (dorsolateral and frontopolar areas) was observed in the training group.
• This suggests enhanced neural efficiency in cognitive task completion after attention training.

Conclusions:

• Customized attention training may be an effective complementary therapy for HIV-positive children and adolescents.
• Attention training shows potential to improve cognitive function alongside cART.
• Findings support the use of non-pharmacological interventions to address cognitive deficits in HIV.