In addition to serving as a national resource for HIV-related research, CNTN is affiliated with a number of specific research projects. Below are examples of projects that utilize CNTN resources.

Brain Amyloid and HAND in the cART Era

Cristian Achim, M.D., Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIMH

Award Number:
R01MH105319

The goal of this project is to validate the diagnostic value of amyloid monitoring in clinical specimens in individuals with increased genetic risk and identify potential therapeutic targets implicated in amyloid clearance.

Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma Biomarkers of HIV-Related Neuropathology

Alex Bryant/Ron Ellis, M.D., Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/HNRC

Award Number:
P30MH062512 (Developmental Award)

The present study seeks to address the gap in the HAND biomarker literature by measuring an array of candidate biomarker molecules in CSF and plasma samples from HIV-infected patients and evaluating their relationship to measures of inflammation, gliosis, neuronal damage, and cerebrovascular disease in postmortem brain tissue and to antemortem measures of neurocognitive impairment.

Genetics of Monooxygenase Activity & Methamphetamine-Related Brain Injury in HIV

Mariana Cherner, Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIDA

Award Number:
R03DA027513

To examine the relationship between CYP2D6 and FMO3 genotypes and neuropathologic changes observed in brain tissue from METH dependent subjects who died with AIDS.

Role of CYP2D6 in Cognitive and Motor Impairments Associated with Methamphetamine Dependence

Mariana Cherner, Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/HNRC

Award Number: P30MH062512 (Developmental Award)

To test the hypothesis that those meth users who develop NP impairments are more likely to be represented by phenotypes with deficient CYP2D6 alleles (PM and IM) than those who are NP normal, despite comparable exposure to meth.

Role of Epigenetic Alterations in the Latency of HIV in the Human Brain

Paula Desplats, Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/HNRC

Award Number: P30MH062512 (Developmental Award)

This study will help determine the role of epigenetic alterations in the regulation of the latency of HIV in the human brain.

ARC: Biomarkers/NC Impairment

Igor Grant, M.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIMH

Award Number:
Supplement

An administrative supplement to evaluate the relationship between biomarkers assessed in various fluids/compartments and the development of, or recovery from, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

Mechanisms of Neuroprotection in HIV Encephalitis

Eliezer Masliah, M.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIMH

Award Number:
R01MH062962

To investigate the role of alterations in CDK5 signaling pathway in the molecular mechanisms of synapto-dendritic damage triggered by HIV proteins, and to determine the involvement of the CDK5 signaling pathway in the mechanisms of defective neurogenesis triggered by HIV proteins.

A Multi-System Study of HIV Neuropathogenesis: Genetics-Neuropathology-Behavior

David Moore, Ph.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIMH

Award Number:
R01MH096648

The goal of this study is to 1) identify associations between host genetic susceptibility loci and neuropathological intermediate phenotypes (NIPs) as measured via quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC), and 2) determine the linear causative relationship between genetic susceptibility loci, NIPs, and neurocognitive impairment.

Mannose Binding Lectin in Neuroinflammation and NeuroAIDS

Kumud K. Singh, Ph.D.

Agency: NIH/HNRC

Award Number: P30MH062512 (Developmental Award)

To analyze gene expression in PBMC samples derived from HIV-infected individuals with and without neurocognitive decline.

Characterizing Proviral Populations in Brain Tissues

David Smith, M.D.

Agency:
NIH/NIDA

Award Number:
R21DA041007

This study is designed to develop and validate a combined next generation sequencing and bioinformatics platform to accurately measure and characterize HIV DNA populations in brain and lymph node tissues.

Cerebral Vasomotor Effects on B-amyloid Deposition in the HIV-infected Brain

Virawudh Soontornniyomkij, Ph.D.

Agency: NIH/HNRC

Award Number: P30MH062512 (Developmental Award)

To study postmortem tissues from the frontal cortex, basal forebrain, and rostral pons of 40 HIV-infected patients and 10 HIV-seronegative controls, by immunohistochemistry to identify AB40 and AB42 deposits, neuronal tau pathology, and p75 neurotrophin receptor- and calbindin-immunoreactive neurons.