HIV and cognitive decline linked to cellular energy production
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Hannah Stadtler, a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University, investigated why women with HIV experience more cognitive impairment than men with HIV or women without HIV.
Stadtler worked with blood samples from women living with HIV and collaborated with Leah Rubin at Johns Hopkins University. She measured the health of mitochondria, the energy producers within cells, alongside cognitive assessments and medical histories. Her research revealed that women who experienced childhood trauma showed increased stress in their mitochondria.
Additionally, women with less efficient energy production in their cells were more likely to have trouble with learning and memory. Stadtler published these findings in the journal AIDS, establishing a connection between mitochondrial function and cognitive decline in women with HIV. The study represents an initial step toward understanding this relationship, and Stadtler is now conducting animal studies to see if mitochondrial markers in blood can predict brain health.
This research could lead to interventions that improve cognitive function for people living with HIV. Stadtler plans to continue a career combining research and direct patient care, believing the two fields strengthen each other.
