Researchers representing the work of multiple studies (HNRC/TMARC/CNTN) within the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program present at the 33^rd  Annual Conference of the National Academy of Neuropsychology in San Diego, California on October 16-19, 2013.  Presentations include research on prospective memory, cognitive reserve, predictors of functional impairment and death, and health literacy among individuals impacted by HIV, HCV and/or methamphetamine. 

UCSD professor and HNRP investigator Dr. Steven Woods co-authored a paper recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reporting the incidence of neurocognitive deficits in youth infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were not receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.  The findings highlight that over two thirds of youth with behaviorally acquired HIV evidence neurocognitive deficits.  Previous studies have shown that cognitive deficits are common in older HIV infected individuals,  but this is the first time cognitive deficits have specifically been associated with HIV infection in youth. 

HNRP researchers Catherine Dufour and David Moore published findings in the Journal of NeuroVirology that physical exercise is associated with significantly less cognitive impairment in HIV-infected adults. Exercise seems to be good for one's mental health in addition to one's physical health.  If future longitudinal studies show that exercise can prevent or reverse cognitive decline this could be a practical intervention freely available to most individuals. 

UC San Diego fared well in a new global ranking of universities developed by the Center for the World University Rankings that evaluates education quality, student training, faculty prestige and the quality of research.

Click Here to read the UC San Diego News Center article.