Figure 1.

A schematic diagram illustrating a possible contribution of neurovascular unit (NVU) disruption to increased neurocognitive impairment in comorbid HIV-1 infection and methamphetamine (METH) use. The NVU is composed of vascular cells, glial cells, and neurons. METH use and HIV-1 infection compromise blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity facilitating transmigration of infected immune cells and viral entry across the BBB. This can potentially lead to neuroinflammatory responses by microglia that can further promote BBB disruption. These events result in worsening neuronal damage and aggravating neurocognitive impairments involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Created with BioRender.com.