Effects of Vagal Dysfunction on Gastrointestinal and Inflammatory Pathways in HIV
The study team's prior research has shown that dysfunction of a specific nerve, called the vagus nerve, is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and that SIBO is associated with signs of inflammation in the blood of people living with HIV (PLWH). This research will explore pathways linking vagal dysfunction to inflammation in HIV, focusing on the gastrointestinal tract, and study whether a medication called pyridostigmine and stimulation of the vagus nerve are beneficial therapies.
• Greater than or equal to18 years old (18 to 64 Years, 65 Years and Over)
• Documentation of HIV-1 infection
• Stable CART for greater or equal to 3 months
• HIV-1 viral load \<100 copies/ml (within 3m)
• No diagnosis known to cause autonomic or GI dysfunction other than HIV (e.g. Parkinson's disease, diabetes, peptic ulcer disease, infectious diarrhea)
• Willing to refrain from nicotine use for 24h prior to all testing
• No contraindication to autonomic testing (e.g. uncontrolled glaucoma, heart rate not under sinus control)
• No medications with significant autonomic or GI effects (e.g. sympathomimetics, prokinetics, anti-diarrheals, antibiotics)
• Urine test negative for stimulants and opiates/opioids and pregnancy test (if applicable)