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Studies
In addition to the studies listed here, the HNRC also supports many other HIV/AIDS-related projects examining areas such as new treatments for HIV and associated symptoms, new techniques for brain imaging in HIV, and the effects of various comorbidities such as substance abuse and Hepatitis C infection.
Current Research Projects:
| Immunophilins in the Neuroglial Response to HIV | Cristian Achim, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1R21MH76681-NCE |
To study the association between immunophilins (IP) and markers of neurodegeneration in HIV infected patients. |
| Genetics of Monooxygenase Activity & Methamphetamine-Related Brain Injury in HIV | Mariana Cherner, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 1R03DA027513-01 |
To examine the relationship between CYP2D6 and FMO3 genotypes and neuropathologic changes observed in brain tissue from METH dependent subjects who died with AIDS. |
| Functional & Cognitive Impact of HIV in Spanish Speakers | Mariana Cherner, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 5R01MH64907-NCE |
To establish the utility of the functional battery for measuring HIV-related functional impairments in Spanish speakers. |
| Neurocognition & Daily Functioning in a Migrant Farm Working Colonia in Baja California, Mexico | Mariana Cherner, Ph.D. |
| Agency: UCSD Agency Award Number: RJ059H |
To utilize an existing collaboration between SDSU and Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) to examine the utility of neuropsychological measures in an unstudied, most indigenous population in Mexico. |
| Traumatic Brain Injury in Latin America: Lifespan Analysis | Mariana Cherner, Ph.D. |
| Agency: University of Washington Agency Award Number: 5R01NS058302-02 |
This study aims to encourage multidisciplinary approaches in addressing brain disorders to low- and middle-income countries, to address the significance of brain disorders to developing nations through scientists and institutions, and to build and enhance the research capacity of developing nations to address relevant brain disorders across the lifespan. |
| The Relationship Between Regional White Matter Integrity, Prospective Memory Performance, and Medication Adherence Among Older Adults with HIV | Lisa Delano-Wood, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/HNRC Agency Award Number: HNRC849 |
This study aims to evaluate the complex interrelationships of white matter abnormalities, ProM, and age as predictors of everyday functioning in HIV disease. |
| Role of epigenetic alterations in the latency of HIV in the human brain | Paula Desplats, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/HNRC Agency Award Number: HNRC859 |
This study will help determine the role of epigenetic alterations in the regulation of the latency of HIV in the human brain. |
| HIV Neurocognitive Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial of CNS-targeted HAART | Ronald Ellis, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 2R01MH58076-10 |
To evaluate the efficacy of a CNS-targeted antiretroviral treatment (ART) strategy for individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HNCI) through a randomized clinical trial. |
| Effect of HIV Clade on Cognitive and Neurological Disorders in Southern Brazil | Ronald Ellis, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: R21MH76651-NCE |
To perform a cross-sectional comparison of the influence of HIV-1 clade on neurocognitive and neurological disorders in southern Brazil. |
| COMT Genotype and Eexecutive Function in HIV Infection and Methamphetamine Use | Ian Everall, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 1R21DA027273-01 |
To investigate the relationship between the inherited genotype of catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) and the protection against the development of HIV related impaired executive function, which is lost when methamphetamine (METH) is used by the affected individuals. |
| Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDS | Ian Everall, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1R25MH071482-03 |
To establish a two-year Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship in NeuroAIDS to train tomorrow`s generation of NeuroAIDS clinician-researchers by mentoring fellows with leading edge basic and clinical neuroscientists attached to the HNRC, UCSD, The Scripps Research Institute, and the Burnham Medical Research Institute. |
| Somatostatin & Stress-Related Genes in HIV & Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder | Ian Everall, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 5R01MH079881-04 |
To quantify our candidate somatostatin and stress-related gene expression in human brain derived from persons who died with HIV, MDD and combined risks, as well as those who had neither risk, and to establish whether commonalities exist between HIV and MDD at the gene expression level. |
| TLR Gene Expression in HIV Neurocognitive Disorder | Ian Everall, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1R21MH078728-02 |
To examine the potential relationship between TLR3 and 4 gene expression and exposure to HIV. |
| Multi-channel Enhancement and Validation of Subcortical Morphometry in HIV | Christine Fennema-Notestine, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NINDS Agency Award Number: 1R21NS069355-01 |
To critically assess the performance of two relatively automated subcortical labeling methods in HIV and to examine a statistical pre-processing procedure that may enhance performance of these methods. |
| Translational Methamphetamine AIDS Research Center (TMARC) | Igor Grant, M.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 1P05DA026306-01A1 |
This research center aims to provide scientific leadership, technical support, and opportunities for training to coalesce the efforts of an interdisciplinary group of investigators to elucidate METH/HIV-inducted CNS injury. |
| California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (CNTN) | Igor Grant, M.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH/NINDS Agency Award Number: 5U01MH083506-02 |
A tissue bank comprised of CNS autopsy material from HIV infected individuals who are well characterized neuropsychologically and neuromedically. |
| CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) | Igor Grant, M.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH/NINDS Agency Award Number: N01MH22005 |
To assess the long-term effects of potent anti-retroviral therapy on HIV-induced disease of the nervous system. |
| HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC/CSPAR) | Igor Grant, M.D. |
| Agency: NIMH/CSPAR Agency Award Number: 5P30MH62512-09 |
A center that integrates and supports research into etiology, pathogenesis, phenomenology, treatment and prevention of neuroAIDS. |
| NeuroAIDS: Effects of Methamphetamine and HCV | Igor Grant, M.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 5P01DA12065-09 |
A program project aiming to clarify the mechanisms of methamphetamine potentiation of HIV neural injury, which will examine the separate and combined effects of HIV, METH, and HCV. |
| Proteomic Strategies for AIDS and Drug Abuse - HIV and METH CNS Synergy | Igor Grant, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA/U of Nebraska Agency Award Number: 1P01DA026146-02 |
This initiative works to understand gene and protein related changes to help lead to new biomarkers that will guide clinical research and interventions for co-occurring conditions of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. |
| Neurobehavioral Effects of HIV & Host Genetics in China | Robert Heaton, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 5R01MH73433-05 |
To develop assessment instruments and norms to measure neurocognitive status in the Chinese population infected with HIV. |
| Role of Evolving White Matter Damage in Neurocognitive Effects of HIV and HCV | Terry Jernigan, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 5R01MH79752-03 |
To use multimodal imaging techniques to examine the effects of HIV and HCV in the white matter of a well characterized cohort being studied longitudinally at the CHARTER San Diego site. |
| ACTG A5241: The Optimized Treatment that Includes or Omits NRTIs (OPTIONS) Trial: A Randomized Strategy Study for HIV-1-Infected Treatment-Experienced Subjects Using the cPSS to Select an Effective Regimen | Scott Letendre, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIN/Washington University Agency Award Number: 5U01NS032228-12 |
A subcontract to Washington University to maintain an effective collaborative clinical study group dedicated to the study of HIV-associated neurologic disease. |
| Antiretroviral-Induced Immune Recovery and the Central Nervous System | Scott Letendre, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1R21MH085610-01 |
This study will compare ART-induced immune recovery in cerebral-spinal fluid (CSF) and blood to changes in neuropsychological (NP) performance. |
| NeuroAIDS in India | Thomas Marcotte, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: R01MH78748-03 |
To determine the prevalence and nature of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (HNCI) in HIV-infected individuals who are not on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. |
| International NeuroAIDS: Scientific and Methodological Research Challenges | J. Allen McCutchan, M.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1U13MH081676-03 |
A series of three meetings in the U.S. over five years to address scientific opportunities and perceived methodological hurdles to international neuroAIDS research in resource-limited settings. |
| Seek and Treat for Optimal Outcomes and Prevention in HIV & AIDS in IDU | Julio Montaner, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 1DP1DA026182-02 |
This study proposes to prospectively test the "HAART as Prevention" hypothesis with a special focus on IDU. |
| Prevalence of Neurocognitive Impairment among HIV-Infected Patients | David Moore, Ph.D. |
| Agency: Uniformed Services U./Henry M. Jackson Foundati Agency Award Number: 196914 |
This study proposes to determine the prevalence of neurocognitive deficits among HIV-positive military beneficiaries who are participants of the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study. |
| Preventing HIV/STIs in Central Indian Female Sex Workers: A Pilot Intervention | Thomas Patterson, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 1R34MH085541-01 |
To adapt a proven, theory-based behavioral intervention that promotes condom use to the culture and needs of FSWs in Nagpur. |
| Behavior Change and Maintenance Intervention for HIV+ MSM Methamphetamine Users | Thomas Patterson, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIDA Agency Award Number: 5R01DA021115-04 |
To examine the efficacy of a counseling and educational program at reducing sexual risk behavior among HIV-positive men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) who use methamphetamine. |
| Intervention for Female Workers in Mexico | Thomas Patterson, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 5R01MH065849-05 |
To compare the effects of our safer sex-counseling program for FSWs in treatment cities against a “standard counseling” condition in comparison cities. |
| Reducing HIV/STD risk, methamphetamine use, and depression among heterosexuals | Thomas Patterson, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 2R01MH61146-09 |
This study examines the efficacy of a counseling and educational program for HIV-negative, heterosexual men and women who use methamphetamine. |
| An Intervention to Cope with HIV and Trauma for Monolingual Latinos | Andres Sciolla, M.D. |
| Agency: CHRP Agency Award Number: ID08-SD-059 |
To develop a linguistically and culturally appropriate intervention for HIV-positive monolingual Spanish-speaking (MSS) Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and have histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to help them reduce HIV sexual risk behaviors as well as symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| Role of English Fluency in Spanish Neuropsychological Performance | Paula Suarez |
| Agency: NIH/NICHD Agency Award Number: 1F31HD062163-01 |
This study will examine the effects of English fluency on Spanish language neuropsychological test performance, hypothesizing relationships derived from existing cognitive science models. |
| Micro-RNA Profiling in Central Nervous System of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Individuals | Erick Tatro, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/HNRC Agency Award Number: HNRC869 |
To create a genome-wide microRNA profile in the HIV-infected human frontal cortex and cingulate gyrus. |
| In Vivo Proton MRS Studies: Cerebral Injury in HIV Infection | Michael Taylor, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/Tufts University Agency Award Number: 5R01NS36524-08 |
To examine the relationship of metabolic patterns as measured by MRS in ADC subjects to levels of HIV RNA, immune activation, including chemokines, the CSF and peripheral compartments in response to potent antiretroviral therapy; and correlate changes in regional metabolites and surrogate markers of disease to neurocognitive performance. |
| Gene Expression Analysis to Identify Biomarkers of HIV associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) | Christopher Woelk, Ph.D. |
| Agency: NIH/HNRC Agency Award Number: HNRC879 |
To identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis ad prognosis of HAND in HIV-infected individuals. |
| Prospective Memory and HIV Transmission Risk in Methampetamine Dependence | Steven Woods, Psy.D. |
| Agency: UCSD/Academic Senate Agency Award Number: RH128H-WOODS |
To evaluate the effects of methamphetamine use on prospective memory (ProM). |
| Prospective Memory in HIV-1 Infection | Steven Woods, Psy.D. |
| Agency: NIH/NIMH Agency Award Number: 2R01MH073419-04A1 |
To extend the findings from the initial grant period by focusing on older adults with HIV, expanding the study design to examine the incidence of ProM impairment and its risk factors, broaden our conceptual model to include habitual ProM, and examine an important new functional outcome, health-related quality of life. |
Accomplishments and Research Directions
- HNRC Scientific Themes
- What attributes of the virus, host, and host-virus interaction determine presentation of HIV-associated neurobehavioral disorders?
- What are the actual mechanisms by which the host-virus factors generate neural injury and neurobehavioral disorders?
- What is the role of co-pathogens and comorbidities in neuroAIDS?
- How can treatments be optimized to prevent or ameliorate neuroAIDS?
- What is the effect of HIV neurocognitive complications on everyday functioning; do treatments that correct neurocognitive abnormalities restore productivity and quality of life?
- Selected Findings from HNRC-supported Projects (2000 - 2005)
- Clinical Epidemiology of HIV
- HIV Neuroadaptation and Neurovirulence
- Host Genetics
- Role of Co-factors
- Effects of Treatment on Neurocognitive Function
- Implications of Neurocognitive Impairment on Everyday Functioning
- HNRC Contributions to Methods Development
- The HNRC as a National and International Resource
- Future Directions
Conference Presentations & Media
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Cris Achim, MD, PhD presents at
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the Joint NIMH Center Seminar Series -
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Several HNRC Investigators present their findings at the NIMH Biotypes of CNS complications in people living with HIV meeting held on October 21-22, 2021.