# HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2023 · $1,499,994

## Abstract

OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
For over two decades, the NIMH P30 HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC) has been a leader in the
neuroHIV field, supporting research that has greatly advanced our understanding of the central nervous system
(CNS) consequences of HIV disease, as well as their predictors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this
renewal application, we propose to continue supporting innovative, basic/mechanistic, clinical, and translational
studies of HIV, its treatment, and comorbidities. This will include studies of persistence (e.g., proviral epigenetics)
and eradication of HIV in the CNS (“cure” agenda) and the role of gut microbiome alterations in HIV-associated
CNS disorders. Depressive disorders have long been recognized to be highly prevalent among persons with HIV
(PWH) and, especially when combined with cognitive impairment, may result in adverse consequences in many
areas of public health concern, including poorer healthcare engagement, antiretroviral therapy effectiveness,
social engagement, and life quality. Using both dimensional and diagnostic assessment approaches to
depression and cognition, we aim to support research identifying and characterizing complex neurobehavioral
phenotypes in PWH, determining their underlying biological mechanisms (e.g., inflammation, gut dysbiosis), and
examining their effects on critical outcomes in PWH. These aims will be achieved by drawing on data and
biospecimens from a registry of over 1200 well characterized PWH and HIV-uninfected participants, who have
received comprehensive HNRC examinations during the last 5 years. During the proposed renewal period, we
also will enrich the HNRC data and biospecimen resource by conducting 200 comprehensive assessments per
year of registry participants who are identified on briefer semi-annual assessments as undergoing changes in
neuromedical status, mood, cognition, or everyday functioning. The HNRC Participant Registry also will be
refreshed with new participant enrollments. Together, these evaluations aim to determine the biological
mechanisms underpinning neurobehavioral changes in PWH, as well as their clinical risk factors and
consequences, with a view toward informing future interventions. This renewal builds on the track record of the
HNRC as a national and international leader and a resource that facilitates research on pathogenesis,
phenomenology, treatment, and prevention of neurobehavioral disturbances in PWH. To accomplish these goals,
we propose four redesigned Scientific Cores (NeuroBehavioral and Psychiatry, NeuroMedical, Microbiome, and
NeuroVirology and Biology) that will strongly support the HNRC aims and provide intellectual leadership and
technical support. An Administrative Core will support and coordinate their activities, and a Developmental Core
will support innovative pilot studies and coordinate training opportunities to help advance the careers of the next
generation of neuroHIV scientists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10561644
- **Project number:** 5P30MH062512-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** RONALD J. ELLIS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $1,499,994
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-04-24 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10561644

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10561644, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (5P30MH062512-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10561644. Licensed CC0.

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