# Division of AIDS Research (DAR)

## Overview

The Division of AIDS Research (DAR) supports research to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS worldwide and to decrease the burden of living with HIV/AIDS. DAR-supported research encompasses a broad range of studies that includes basic and clinical neuroscience of HIV infection to understand and alleviate the consequences of HIV infection of the central nervous system (CNS), and basic and applied behavioral science to prevent new HIV infections and limit morbidity and mortality among those infected. DAR places a high priority on interdisciplinary research across multiple populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, over the lifespan.

The portfolio on the basic neuroscience of HIV infection includes research to: elucidate the mechanisms underlying HIV-induced CNS dysfunction in the setting of long-term antiretroviral therapy; understand the motor, cognitive, and behavioral impairments that result from HIV infection of the CNS; develop novel treatments to prevent or mitigate the CNS complications of HIV infection; and, minimize the neurotoxicity induced by long-term use of antiretroviral therapy. Critical approaches to this effort require molecular, cellular, and genetic studies to delineate the pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to HIV induced CNS dysfunction, and to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. In addition, eradication of the virus from HIV-infected individuals to achieve a cure or a functional cure is a high priority.

The behavioral science research agenda emphasizes developing and testing behavioral, social, and combination interventions that are effectively integrated with biomedical approaches to significantly impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The behavioral science agenda targets prevention of both transmission and acquisition of HIV, adherence to intervention components to reduce the burden of disease, and studies that address the behavioral consequences of HIV/AIDS. A strong component of integrating behavioral and biomedical approaches is accomplished by expanding collaboration with other NIH institutes and federal agencies to leverage resources and broaden the impact of this research, particularly for the domain of implementation science.

## Areas of high priority

                  - Expand approaches to integrate behavioral science with effective biomedical strategies for HIV prevention.
                  - Advance the development and testing of interventions delivered beyond the individual level, by incorporating appropriate context into intervention development and testing.
                  - Increase intervention potency and long-term maintenance of effects, with an emphasis on targeting high-risk vulnerable populations.
                  - Develop strategies to increase HIV testing, ensure timely treatment initiation, and improve linkage to care.
                  - Develop and test interventions to improve HIV treatment outcomes through optimal treatment adherence and sustained engagement in care.
                  - Support implementation science and operations research to enhance dissemination strategies and public health impact of effective interventions.
                  - Examine evolving pathophysiologic mechanisms of HIV-induced CNS dysfunction in the setting of long-term antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression, and develop novel therapeutic approaches to mitigate CNS complications of HIV infection.
                  - Support the use of state-of-the-art (epi)genetic approaches to identify and validate viral and host genetic factors that influence the pathophysiology and manifestations of HIV-induced CNS dysfunction.
                  - Define and characterize HIV persistence in the CNS in the context of suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy, and foster translational research to enable eradication of HIV from the brain.

## Director

Dianne M. Rausch, Ph.D.5601 Fishers Lane, Room 8D20Rockville, MD 20852240-627-3874, drausch@mail.nih.gov

## Deputy director

Gregory Greenwood, Ph.D., M.P.H.5601 Fishers Lane, 9G19Rockville, MD 20852240-669-5532, gregory.greenwood@nih.gov