HIV Neuroprotection Workshop

Principallnvestigator/Program Director (Last,First, Middle): Berger, Joseph R. DESCRIPTION: State the application's broad, long-term objectives and specific aims. making reference to the health relatedness of the project. Describe concisely the research design and methods for achieving these goals. Avoid summaries of past accomplishments and the use of the first person. This abstract is meant to serve as a succinct and accurate description of the proposed work when separated from the application. If the application is funded. this description. as is. will become public information. Therefore. do not include proprietary/confidential information. DO NOT EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. This application seeks support for the conference entitled HIV Neuroprotection Workshop to be held in conjunction with the 6th International Symposium on Neurovirology in Sardinia, Italy during September 10th- 14th, 2004. This conference is being held outside the U.S. The purpose of the conference is to bring together the world's experts in the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations of the neurological, neuropsychological, and psychiatric complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This conference will focus chiefly, but not exclusively, on the following: 1) clinical aspects of neurologic disease caused by HIV,( 2) molecular and cellular aspects of HIV neuropathogenesis, (3) viral and cellular proteins .in signal transduction and neuroprotection, (4) AIDS international roundtable, (5) Neuroimune interactions in AIDS: relevance to other neurodegenerative diseases and developmental therapeutics, (6) neurotoxic viral proteins and intercellular communications, and (7) neuroimaging and AIDS. Plenary speakers have been identified for each of these topics. This conference serves as efficient means to disseminate new information on these topics as well as to foster new avenues of investigation and collaborations between different research teams. The conference will also provide an effective avenue for encouraging junior investigators in this discipline. Dr. Berger has an established track record as a conference organizer. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Neuroscience of HIV Meeting. In organizing this workshop, Drs. Berger and Pomerantz have the assistance of a distinguished group of international authorities on the neuroscience of HIV/AIDS in addition to the local organizing committee of Italian neuroAIDS scientists. Support is requested for administrative assistance, travel for plenary speakers, trainee scholarships, and publication costs. The proposed conference is the first of its kind to highlight neuroprotection in HIV CNS and PNS disorders. By coupling this meeting with the International Symposium on Neurovirology this synergy can be exploited. PERFORMANCE SITE(S) (organization, city, state) Sardinia, Italy KEY PERSONNEL. See instructions. Use continuation pages as needed to provide the required information in the format shown below. Start with Principal Investigator. List all other key personnel in alphabetical order, last name first. Name Organization Berger, Joseph R. M.D. University of Kentucky Pomerantz, Roger M.D. Thomas Jefferson University Clements, Janice E. Ph.D. John Hopkins University Khalili, Kamel Ph.D. Temple University Pulliam, Lynn Ph.D. VA Medical Center Royal, Walter III M.D. Morehouse School of Medicine Wighdal, Brian Ph.D. Drexel University Role on Project Principal Investigator Co-I nvestigator Investigator Investigator Infestigator Investigator INvestigator Disclosure Permission Statement. Applicable to SBIRISTTR Onlv. See instructions. DYes [8J No PHS398 (Rev.05/01) Page6. Numberpagesconsecutively atthebottomthroughout the application. Do not use suffixes such as 2a, 2b. Form Page 2