Adolescence is a period of physical, psychological, and social development. Many older adolescents (18-24 years old) engage in high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, and drug use. This has caused an increase in the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infected (HIV+) adolescents. In addition, many HIV+ adolescents continue to engage in high-risk behaviors leading to a further HIV spread. Current assessments of risky decision-making in adolescents involve self-administered surveys concerning sexual behaviors and drug use. It is imperative that early markers of risky behaviors are identified so that effective interventions are implemented to reduce adolescent HIV transmission. This proposal will utilize non-invasive neuroimaging, such as arterial spin labeling (ASL), to quantitatively measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) within risky decision-making networks. Preliminary ASL studies have demonstrated that HIV diminishes CBF by 60% within risky decision-making areas. We will also use computer based neurobehavioral tests that simulate real-life risky decision making situations. Correlations between neuroimaging and neurobehavioral methods could provide us unique insights into the mechanisms that fuel the adolescent HIV epidemic. The overall direct impact of our research will be: 1) an increase in our knowledge concerning the interaction between risky decision-making and HIV in adolescents 2) the development of early neuroimaging and neurobehavioral markers that assess the impact of HIV infection on risky decision- making networks. These results will assist nurses, clinicians, and public health practitioners in developing interventions that could save lives and reduce the spread of HIV in this vulnerable population.

Public Health Relevance

An increase in the prevalence of HIV infected (HIV+) adolescents has occurred as many adolescents engage in high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, and drug use. This proposal will: 1) increase our knowledge concerning the interaction between risky decision-making and HIV in adolescents; 2) develop early neuroimaging and neurobehavioral markers to assess the impact of HIV on risky behaviors. These results will assist practitioners in developing effective interventions to reduce adolescent HIV transmission.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NR012907-05
Application #
8811888
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNR1)
Program Officer
Henry, Rebecca
Project Start
2011-04-08
Project End
2017-02-28
Budget Start
2015-03-01
Budget End
2017-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
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