Viral and Host Genetic Factors Regulating HIV-Associated CNS Disease (R21)

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Purpose. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) solicit research grant applications to support studies focused on viral and host genetic factors involved in HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in the setting of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Recent clinical studies indicate that over 50% of HIV-infected patients manifest HAND despite receiving HAART. The focus of this initiative is to encourage studies to discover novel genetic paradigms that may account for the interactions between the virus, the host, and the therapeutic drugs in the central nervous system (CNS) that result in the pathogenesis, progression, and clinical manifestations of HAND. The use of state-of-the-art genetic approaches (including transcriptomics, phenomics, epigenomics, whole genome association studies, next generation sequencing, exome sequencing, and systems biology) to identify and validate (including in vitro models, animal models, and human samples) viral and host genetic factors which influence the pathophysiology of HAND are encouraged. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) award mechanism and runs in parallel with an FOA of identical scientific scope, MH-11-020, which encourages applications under the Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIMH and NINDS intend to commit approximately $2.0 million and $1.0 million respectively in FY 2011 to fund awards in response to the FOA and the companion announcement.

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