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.