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Newly Funded Grant - Endocannabinoids, Cannabis, and Neurocognitive Deficits in HIV
Dr. Brook Henry received notice of funding for his study that will examine dose response interaction between cannabis use and the endocannabinoid (EC) system.
Previous studies have indicated that the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of the EC system may have therapeutic utility in reducing HIV-induced damage to the central nervous system, including preventing the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In contrast, cannabis use is reported to induce neurocognitive and functional impairment after chronic exposure.
CHARTER Manuscript Highlighted in Neurology
Dr. Igor Grant and the CHARTER Group have a featured article in the June 2014 issue of Neurology, “Asymptomatic HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment increases risk for symptomatic decline”. Their study presents further evidence that HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain prevalent despite combination antiretroviral therapy. The study demonstrates that early asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI) confers an increased risk and faster development of functional/symptomatic decline in individuals with HIV disease progression. These findings highlight the importance of identifying those with ANI in the clinic early on to offer an opportunity to modify treatment to delay progression to symptomatic/functional decline.
Click Here for link to Pubmed - and full article when available in Pubmed Central.
CHARTER Longitudinal Neurocognitive Data Unveiled at AIDS 2014
Dr. Robert Heaton presents the longitudinal data from the CNS HIV Anti-Retroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study at the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) being held from 20-25 July 2014 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Melbourne, Australia.
Key points of the presentation include that neurocognitive change (NC) change is common in HIV infection, there are clinical and biological predictors of NC change, that the increased comorbidity burden and factors associated with Hispanic ethnicity deserve more attention in clinical care of HIV+ individuals, and that consistent use of ART to maintain virologic control may protect the central nervous system and improve NC outcomes.
To Cite:
Heaton RK, Franklin DR, Deutsch R, Letendre SL, Ellis RJ, Blackstone K, Marquine MJ, Woods SP, Vaida F, Atkinson JH, Marcotte TD, McCutchan JA, Collier AC, Marra CM, Clifford DB, Gelmen BB, McArthur JC, Morgello S, Simpson DM, Abramson I, Gamst A, Fennema-Notestine C, Smith DM, Grant I, for the CHARTER Group. (IP). Neurocognitive change in the era of HIV combination antiretroviral therapy: A longitudinal CHARTER Study. 20th International AIDS Conference.
Dilip Jeste Appointed as First Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care
Dr. Dilip V. Jeste, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, has been appointed the first associate dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care at UC San Diego and will direct the newly established Center on Healthy Aging and Senior Care.
Dr. Jeste collaborates with HNRP investigators on research regarding aging and HIV infection. Examples of publications include:
Moore RC, Fazeli PL, Jeste DV, Moore DJ, Grant I, Woods SP. (2014). Successful cognitive aging and health-related quality of life in younger and older adults infected with HIV. AIDS And Behavior, Epub. March 18. PMID: 24633788
Moore RC, Moore DJ, Thompson WK, Vahia IV, Grant I, Jeste DV. (2013). A case-controlled study of successful aging in older HIV-infected adults. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 74(5), e417-23. PMID: 23759460 PMCID: PMC3683870
Click Here to link to an article in The Oprah Magazine about stress where Dr. Jeste is one of the highlighted researchers.
Igor Grant Announced as New Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
This message was sent on behalf of Dr. David Brenner, Vice Chancellor, UC San Diego Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine, and Paul Viviano, Chief Executive Officer, UC San Diego Health System, to UC San Diego Health Sciences Faculty and Staff.
We are pleased to announce that Igor Grant, MD, FRCP(C), an internationally recognized neuropsychiatrist, has been named the new Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Grant has been at UC San Diego more than 40 years and has served as Executive Vice Chair in the department for the past 20. He will succeed Lewis Judd, MD, who is stepping down after 36 years in the position – the longest serving department chair in the history of the university.