Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
23:56
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Food Insecurity and Cognitive Performance Among Young People Living With and Without HIV: A Study Across Four African
Seth Frndak1,2, Nicole Dear1,2, Natalie Burns3,4,5
1U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Disease Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
AIDS and Behavior
|June 5, 2026
Summary
Food insecurity impacts cognitive development in young adults living with HIV (PLWH). Targeted nutrient interventions may support cognitive domains, especially for PLWH facing food challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cognitive development in young adults living with HIV (PLWH) remains understudied, particularly concerning food insecurity (FI).
- Nutrient-based interventions may offer age- and HIV-status-dependent cognitive benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal cognitive development of adolescents and young adults in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS).
- To assess the independent and interactive effects of age, HIV status, and food insecurity on cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1,012 participants (15-27 years old) in the AFRICOS study across four African countries.
- Utilized linear mixed models to examine cognitive performance on tests of learning, memory, processing speed, executive functions, and language generativity.
- Food insecurity assessed via self-reported meal frequency and sufficiency.
Main Results:
- Increasing age correlated with improved cognitive performance overall.
- People living with HIV (PLWH) demonstrated lower performance in language generativity and executive functions compared to people without HIV (PLWoH), despite antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- Food insecurity was linked to poorer memory in younger individuals and diminished executive functions in older individuals.
Conclusions:
- Young PLWH exhibit distinct cognitive challenges, particularly in language and executive functions, even with ART.
- Food insecurity disproportionately affects cognitive performance, with age-dependent impacts on memory and executive functions.
- Developmentally tailored cognitive interventions, potentially including nutrient-based strategies, are recommended for young PLWH.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:21Impact of Social Context on Individuals
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...