A Nigerian researcher, Dr. Elizabeth Kehinde Oladipo, has earned international recognition for a breakthrough study that uncovers how HIV continues to affect the brain even after successful treatment.
Presenting her findings at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the United States, Dr. Oladipo explained that the HIV Tat protein lingers in brain cells despite the use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), which is widely regarded as effective in suppressing the virus in the bloodstream.
Her research provides fresh insight into why many people living with HIV continue to suffer from memory loss and other cognitive problems, a condition known as HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND). Scientists say the discovery could reshape the global fight against the virus by shifting attention to therapies that protect the brain in addition to controlling viral load.
“This breakthrough shows us that treating HIV is not just about suppressing the virus in the blood, but also about understanding and addressing what happens in the brain,” Dr. Oladipo said while presenting her study.
Health experts have hailed the development as a significant step in improving the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide, particularly in countries with a high burden of HIV such as Nigeria.
