Study on brain functioning and HIV

Study on brain functioning and HIV

An ongoing study is recruiting HIV negative gay men over 45 to take part in a long-term research project to examine whether there is an increased risk of brain disorders such as memory loss, dementia and concentration loss in people with HIV.

Neuropsychologist Dr Lucette Cysique, who is heading up the research, said it was important to compare HIV negative men with HIV positive men to see if people with HIV are at greater risk.

“We’re trying to determine if being HIV positive long-term leads to greater difficulties with cognitive problems than being HIV negative,” Cysique said.

Based at St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, the study is being conducted in partnership with Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of New South Wales. Participants undergo MRI scans and well-established cognitive tests.

Retired journalist Alan Tate is HIV negative and is taking part in the study as part of the control group because of his concerns about how brain diseases like dementia are affecting the community in general.

“Dementia is running rampant in the wider community,” Tate, whose family has been touched by the disease, said.

“We’ve got to do whatever we can to increase knowledge of how this disease could be treated.”

Research participant and barrister Steven Beverling, 53, has been living with HIV since 1996.

Despite his condition, he continues to live the kind of active lifestyle most people would envy, cycling in this year’s Race Across America ultra-marathon bike tour — a 3000-mile race to raise awareness and hope for people living with HIV.

He also won three gold medals at the 2010 Cologne Gay Games.

Beverling told the Star Observer that, on top of helping to better understand the effects of HIV on the brain, participating in the study also helped him monitor his own neurological health.

HIV negative men over 45 can participate in the study by contacting Dr Lucette Cysique via [email protected] or on 0431 576 710.

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2 responses to “Study on brain functioning and HIV”

  1. Yes we do!!
    We only need men as we have already recruited all the women needed :)
    Thanks!
    Lucette