Project 175929

Neuropathic pain (NP) is the principal neuropsychiatric disorder occurring during HIV infection caused by lesion(s) in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Although HIV-associated NP is recognized globally, it is a chronic disorder often associated with advanced HIV infection and/or the use of several neurotoxic antiretroviral drugs. Our group's studies of a population-based prospective cohort of over 1600 HIV/AIDS patients indicate that greater than 25% exhibit NP due to multiple underlying causes despite being in active care. In the present proposal, our working hypothesis is that the development of NP occurs due to a unique interplay between environmental and host factors driven by HIV infection of the nervous system. Using an interdisciplinary approach involving epidemiological, clinical, cellular and molecular tools, we will delineate the molecular, cellular and viral determinants of NP in HIV/AIDS patients with the long term goal of identifying biomarkers and therapeutic interventions for NP.