Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine

Areas of Research

HIV/AIDS Research

Age Effects on HIV-associated Brain Dysfunction

This study investigates the effects of HIV in the brain and on neurocognitive functioning as people age. The study incorporates state-of-the-art brain imaging methods along with clinical and laboratory measures of HIV infection. We will examine how neurocognitive outcome and structural brain changes vary as a function of age and these HIV-associated factors. A longitudinal experimental design will be employed with statistical modeling methods to characterize changes over time. Comparing young and older HIV-infected patients (< or > 45 years) with matched cohorts of young and older healthy controls over 36-months on neurocognitive, neuroimaging, and laboratory measures. The results will inform us about the interaction of HIV infection in the brain and aging over time, will provide metrics for assessing structural brain changes, will extend our knowledge of the clinical application of diffusion tensor imaging for brain disorders, and may lead to advances in neurodiagnostics for HIV. This study will provide valuable information about the effects of HIV on the brain as people age. Clinical application of brain imaging methods, most notably in particular MRI diffusion tensor imaging, may occur, which may lead to advances in diagnostics for HIV effects in the brain.

Principal Investigator: Ronald Cohen, PhD

Co-Investigators: Timothy Flanigan, MD; Joseph Hogan, PhD; David Laidlaw, PhD; Karen Tashima, MD

Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health

Dates: 2006 – 2011

Proton MRS Studies of Cerebral Injury in HIV Infection

The major goals of this project are to examine the MRS and MRI correlates of cognitive function in the context of antiretroviral therapy.

Principal Investigators: Ronald Cohen, PhD (Subcontract) and Brad Navia (Project PI)

Funding Agency: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Linking Biophysical Functions of Microbicides to User Perception and Acceptability

This is a project funded through the NIH’s Microbicide Innovation Program (MIP). The goal of this study is to explore the potential correspondence between specific omnibus measures of microbicide formulation properties and rheology and similarly omnibus scale measures of women’s experiences with those formulations. Using qualitative methods, quantitative scale items were generated and are now being evaluated. A link between biophysical properties and user evaluation of vaginal products would allow the co-optimization of drug deployment and product acceptability, ultimately leading to highly effective anti-HIV topical vaginal microbicides.

Principal Investigator: Kathleen M. Morrow, PhD

Co-Investigators: David Katz, PhD; Patrick Kiser, PhD; Joseph Fava, PhD; Rochelle Rosen, PhD; Erna (Milu) Kojic, MD; Lori Panther, MD

Funding Agency: National Institute of Mental Health

Dates: 2006 – 2011

Long-acting Acceptable Microbicides: Novel Delivery, Activity and Pharmacodynamics

This project is funded under NIAID's "Integrated Preclinical/Clinical Program for HIV Topical Microbicides" (U19) mechanism. The overall project aims to develop, evaluate and progress new anti-HIV compounds and novel delivery systems through the microbicide pipeline. Specifically, compounds that inhibit viral entry, attachment and reverse transcription will be tested and developed in novel forms (i.e., long-acting vaginal gels and intravaginal rings). Project 3 (Morrow, PI) is responsible for developing instruments to measure factors related to product acceptability and use and optimize potential acceptability and use of the products developed in this research.

Principal Investigator: Kathleen M. Morrow, PhD (PI: Project 3)

Co-Investigators: Robert Buckheit, PhD (PI: U19, and Core A and C); David Katz, PhD (PI: Project 2); Patrick Kiser, PhD (PI: Project 1); Charlene Dezzutti, PhD (PI: Core D); Todd Parsley, PhD (PI: Core B); Lisa Rohan, PhD (Co-PI: Project 2); Joseph Fava, PhD (Co-I on Project 3); Rochelle Rosen, PhD (Co-I on Project 3)

Funding Agency: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Dates: 2008 – 2013

Evaluation of the Behavioral Measures of Acceptability of Two Vaginal Gels

The goal of this study is to evaluate novel vaginal gel formulations and the potential correspondence between formulation properties and rheology and measures of women’s experiences with those formulations. A link between biophysical properties and user evaluation of vaginal products would allow the co-optimization of drug deployment and product acceptability, ultimately leading to highly effective anti-HIV topical vaginal microbicides.

Principal Investigator: Kathleen M. Morrow, PhD

Co-Investigators: David Katz, PhD; Patrick Kiser, PhD; Joseph L. Fava, PhD; Rochelle Rosen, PhD; Erna (Milu) Kojic, MD; Lori Panther, MD

Funding Agency: CONRAD

Dates: 2009 - 2010    

Feasibility and Acceptability of SILCS Diaphragm as a Microbicide Delivery System

The goal of this study is to examine the potential to use the SILCS diaphragm, developed by PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), as a vaginal microbicide delivery system. Using MRI imagining and behavioral acceptability measures, the study will explore both the actual deployment of vaginal gel as a function of different application processes using the SILCS, and how that deployment is related to acceptability.

Principal Investigators: Kathleen M. Morrow, PhD (Subcontract); Patricia Coffey, PhD (Project PI); Kurt Barnhart, MD

Funding Agency: United States Agency for International Development

Dates: 2007 - 2010

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