This study is based on findings from a previous study. Briefly, among individuals with HNCI who initiated a new antiretroviral (ARV) therapy regimen, those receiving more highly CNS-penetrating ARV regimens were more likely to successfully suppress cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) viral load (VL), and those who achieved CSF suppression (VL < 50 c/mL) had better neurocognitive (NC) outcomes. These findings suggest that NC outcomes of ART may be enhanced by the planned application of an ARV selection and clinical monitoring strategy designed to optimize the treatment of CNS infection. In the future it will become increasingly important to consider CNS penetration issues in selecting ART regimens. The randomized clinical trial proposed here would provide the level of evidence needed to formulate ART guidelines specific to HNCI.

Subjects eligible for this trial will be individuals with HNCI who anticipate initiation of a new ARV regimen or substitution of their existing regimen following contemporary treatment guidelines. A total of 120 patients at 3 study sites will be randomized 1:1 to receive a CNS-targeted (CNS-T) ARV strategy versus a non-CNS-targeted (Comparison) strategy. The primary outcome, change in global neuropsychological (NP) performance, will be assessed at 16 weeks. CNS-T will comprise two components: 1) initial selection of agents to optimize CNS penetration of the overall regimen; and 2) modification of the regimen if an interim pharmacokinetic (PK) assessment determines that plasma ARV exposure is not appropriate (overdosing, underdosing).