George Hightower, a UCSD MD/PhD student with an infectious disease concentration, was recently interviewed for the NIH's Findings Magazine.  His research focuses on the genetic attributes of HIV, especially as related to the brain and cognition.

Click Here to read the full article.

Several Hightower HNRP Publications:

Hightower GK, Letendre SL, Cherner M, Gibson SA, Ellis RJ, Wolfson TJ, Gamst AC, Ignacio CC, Heaton RK, Grant I, Richman DD, Smith DM, and the HNRC Group.  (2009). Select resistance-associated mutations in blood are associated with lower CSF viral loads and better neuropsychological performance. Virology, 394 (2), 243-248. PMID: 19762060  PMCID: 3046809 

"Depression Is Still Common In People With HIV" by April Clayton and Courtney McQueen of The AIDS BEACON featured results of the CHARTER Study that showed higher rates of suicidal ideation among HIV positive individuals.  The CHARTER Study data points to the importance of clinicians considering mood disruption in HIV positive patients to facilitate treatment that may reduce the rates of suicidal ideation and attempt among this patient population.

To Cite:

Badiee J, Moore DJ, Atkinson JH, Vaida F, Gerard M, Duarte NA, Franklin D, Gouaux B, McCutchan JA, Heaton RK, McArthur J, Morgello S, Simpson D, Collier A, Marra CM, Gelman B, Clifford D, Grant I.  (2011). Lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt are common among HIV+ individuals. Journal of Affective Disorders. PMID: 21784531

Link to Abstract

 

Ms. Duarte began her affiliation with the HNRP in 2009 as a Psychiatric Coordinator.   She holds an MA degree in Psychology with BCIA-C (Biofeedback certification) and is in her final semester of a PhD degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology. She has  completed CAPIC-approved internship rotations at 1) Sharp Hospital - Pain Rehabilitation Program, 2) Palomar Hospital - Outpatient Partial Hospitalization Program & Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit and 3) ISIS Crisis House (CRF START Program).  Her research interests include 1) Psychiatric Aspects of NeuroAIDS, 2) Substance Use & HIV, 3) Severe comorbid mental illness & HIV, 4) Adherence and HIV, 5) Psychiatric Aspects of Chronic Pain Conditions, 6) Psychiatric Aspects of Chronic Health Conditions and 7) Psychiatric Assessment in the Context of HIV.

This study explored how ADHD/Methamphetamine use may impact an individual's higher propensity to engage in risky behaviors that yield immediate rewards even in light of future possible negative results.  The theory underpinning design of this study postulates that deficits in working memory/decreased activation in the frontal cortex of the brain may contribute to the inability to adequately weigh rewards and consequences.

Findings reported in the manuscript Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of Human Astrocytes Disrupts Blood-brain Barrier Integrity by a Gap Junction-dependent Mechanism published in the June 29^th Issue of the Journal of Neuroscience indicate that astrocytes may lead the way to understanding neurocognitive impairment in HIV infection.  Dr. Grant stated, “This study provides a possible explanation indicating that minute numbers of infected astrocytes can trigger a cascade of signals that could open the brain to various toxic influences."  Eliseo Eugenin, primary author of the study, constructed a blood-brain barrier model using human cells and found that infection of astrocytes may be important in promoting neurocognitive impairment that so commonly travels with HIV infection, possibly by weakening the blood-brain barrier allowing infection of brain cells.

For the article in HealthDay News click here.

For redirect to the abstract of the published manuscript and Journal Information click here.