# SuperAging in HIV-infected Adults: Biopsychosocial Predictors of Neurocognitive Aging Trajectories

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $40,735

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) has steadily
increased, with an estimated 50% of PLWH in the U.S. aged 50 years and older. Despite increased longevity in
the ART-era, older PLWH are at enhanced risk for premature and accelerated development of geriatric
syndromes, including neurocognitive impairment (NCI), frailty, and daily functioning dependence. NeuroHIV
research preferentially studies adverse outcomes stemming from the combined neurobiological burdens of HIV
and aging; however, one to two-thirds of older PLWH do not meet criteria for NCI. Despite the neurocognitive
heterogeneity among neurocognitively `unimpaired' older PLWH, inter-individual differences in neurocognitive
aging trajectories are poorly understood. We have recently characterized a subgroup of older PLWH with
youthful neurocognition akin to that of a healthy 25 year-old, an age at which most neurocognitive capacities
peak. These neurocognitively elite individuals, termed SuperAgers (SA), display comparable profiles of HIV
disease severity as compared to their cognitively normal non-super and cognitively impaired counterparts, yet
have better daily functioning, mental and physical health-related quality of life, fewer comorbidities, and higher
premorbid IQ. These findings align with a model of cognitive and physiological reserve, suggesting that robust
maintenance of cognitive and physiological resources enables SA to effectively combat the neural and physical
stressors of aging with HIV. Nevertheless, these cross-sectional data do not address whether SA maintain
maximal neurocognition over time, and whether such neurocognitive resilience converges with holistic
indicators of biopsychosocial reserve. Assessing the validity of SA as a construct reflecting resilience against
neurocognitive decline is critical toward identifying neuroprotective factors among the vulnerable population of
older PLWH. Accordingly, the proposed F31 project aims to 1) characterize neurocognitive aging trajectories
and determine their relation to SA in older PLWH; 2) determine biopsychosocial predictors of neurocognitive
trajectories; and 3) examine potential effects of demographic, neuropsychiatric, substance use, and daily
functioning factors on neurocognitive trajectories. The proposed research will employ latent growth mixture
modeling using longitudinal, archival data of older PLWH from the CNS HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects
Research program. The opportunities afforded via this F31 mechanism will facilitate the applicant's
professional development toward becoming an independent academic neuropsychologist dedicated to
promoting neurocognitive resilience among older PLWH.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10214507
- **Project number:** 5F31AG064989-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Rowan Saloner
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $40,735
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10214507

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10214507, SuperAging in HIV-infected Adults: Biopsychosocial Predictors of Neurocognitive Aging Trajectories (5F31AG064989-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10214507. Licensed CC0.

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