# California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network

> **NIH NIH U24** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2023 · $553,251

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
CNTN is an active participant in the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium (NNTC), a partnership of four
NIH-funded neuroAIDS tissue banks. The objectives of the CNTN remain the same today as it was when it was
established in 1998 and encompass 1) recruitment, clinical assessment, and follow-up of a late-stage HIV
cohort, and 2) collection, maintenance, and distribution of specimens to investigators interested in conducting
research on the neuropathogenesis of HIV-induced central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction.
This supplement is requested to cover the difference between CNTN’s minimal essential operations and
operating in-full for the supplement period (03/01/2023 - 05/31/2023). Carryforward funds have been requested
to cover minimal essential operations of the CNTN for this period, with many activities substantially diminished
to reduce costs. CNTN will continue to maintain an in-life cohort of approximately 150 participants with the
purpose of obtaining autopsies from high priority cases that are aligned with the thematic priorities of the RFA:
a) HIV eradication from CNS reservoirs; b) mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in
the setting of long-term HAART, and c) understanding comorbidities associated with HIV, including the effects
of aging and chronic HIV-infection. CNTN will accumulate and manage a bank of in-life (plasma, CSF, blood)
and autopsy (brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, lymph node, blood, and CSF) specimens and data from persons
living with HIV who are well characterized neuropsychologically, neuromedically, and psychiatrically. CNTN will
collect tissues (e.g., gut lymphoid tissue, testes) for emerging CNS cure and eradication research. Unique
within the NNTC, CNTN has assumed responsibility for CNS HIV-1 Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research
(CHARTER) specimens including plasma, CSF, buccal swabs, skin biopsies, and nucleic acids. De-identified
CHARTER data (clinical, laboratory, genetic, neuroimaging, and research) have been transferred to the NNTC
Data Coordinating Center (DCC), where they are now maintained. CNTN maintains both CNTN and
CHARTER specimen resources. External requests for de-identified CNTN or CHARTER data or specimens are
managed by the DCC in collaboration with NNTC sites, and the CNTN team is well equipped to provide timely
distribution of both CNTN and CHARTER specimens according to NNTC data and resource distribution
policies. Finally, CNTN continues to be an active collaborating member of the NNTC by: coordinating with the
DCC and other NNTC sites; providing scientific and technical expertise to the wider research community as a
voting member of the NNTC Steering Committee (SC), which reviews requests for data and specimens to
facilitate neuroAIDS research; and as the leader of the NNTC Neuropsychology/Psychiatry subcommittee.
Through the accomplishment of these objectives, the CNTN will continue to be a national and international
resource serving the needs of...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10797350
- **Project number:** 3U24MH100928-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** CRISTIAN L ACHIM
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $553,251
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10797350

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10797350, California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (3U24MH100928-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10797350. Licensed CC0.

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