The Path Study: Cognitive and Inflammation Targeted Gut-brain Interventions in Alcohol; Probiotics, Alcohol, Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation, and HIV Study

This study is testing whether probiotics and a mild brain stimulation technique (transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, or tVNS) can improve memory and thinking problems in people living with HIV who also drink alcohol. Researchers believe that treating gut health and inflammation may help brain function. **You may be eligible if...** - You are between 35 and 70 years old - You speak English or Spanish - You drink alcohol and have some degree of cognitive (thinking or memory) impairment - You are living with HIV and your CD4 count is above 350 **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have been diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness - You drank more than 300 drinks in the past 30 days - You have recently used opioids - You have ever needed medically supervised alcohol detoxification - You have received intensive addiction treatment in the past year - You cannot have an MRI scan - You are currently taking antibiotics or probiotics - You have a physical condition that prevents you from lying still or responding motorically Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.