‌MR-guided Focused Ultrasound to Eradicate CNS Viral Reservoirs and Promote Neurogenesis in the HIV-infected Brain

HIV-infected persons need to take life-long antiretroviral medications (ARVs) because these ARVs cannot remove the hidden sources of HIV, especially those found in the brain. We aim to use MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to safely and transiently open the blood brain- barrier (BBB) in order to maximize the delivery of long-acting slow release ARVs, in combination with the AAV-CRISPR-Cas9 technology to eliminate the integrated HIV in the brain. We will first optimize the approach in rodents, and then translate it to human studies.

Funded by NIDA / NIH (5DP1DA053719-02)

‌Neural Correlates of Working Memory Training for HIV

This research project is a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of the computerized working memory training program “Cogmed®”.

Multimodal MRI (sMRI, DTI, functional MRI), CSF cytokines and LMX1A genotypes are used to evaluate and assess treatment effects

We are actively recruiting HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.

Funded by NIDA / NIH (7R01-DA035659)

‌Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD Study)

The University of Maryland is one of 21 institutions nationwide participating in the ABCD Study. Researchers have enrolled almost 12,000 children ages 9-10 years, whose biological and behavioral development will be tracked through adolescence into young adulthood.

The ABCD Study at the University of Maryland is conducted in the new HSF-III research building and the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center.

Learn more about this project

‌Although HIV-infected individuals can be treated and have normal life expectancies, up to half continue to suffer from cognitive problems that are often difficult to evaluate. This exploratory study aims to use machine learning to combine different types of brain imaging and clinical data to generate an objective and reproducible approach to assess brain injury associated with HIV-infection. Our approach may provide a useful biomarker to evaluate brain injury and monitor treatments in these patients in both research and clinical settings.

PIs: Linda Chang, MD and Edward H. Herskovits, MD, PhD

Funding NIH: "Machine Learning to Generate a Multivariate Model of Brain Injury in HIV Patients" (1R21NS108811-01).

Funding: NIH / NIDA: "Neural correlates of working memory training for HIV Patients" (Co-investigator, R01 DA035659)

The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of computerized working memory training program in HIV-positive individuals, using multimodal MRI.

Note: the picture on the left shows the chemical structure of Methamphetamine, a commonly used drug.

I have a long-standing interest in developing and applying advanced MRI and MRS techniques to study the developing brain in neonates and young children. It is fascinating to observe the rapid and dramatic changes occuring in infants with MRI.

For instance, the image on the left shows early myelination of the motor tract (hyperintense signal) in a newborn, which mirrors the rapid improvements in motor skills in neonates.