CFAR Behavioral Program

Neuropsychiatric and Behavioral research, under the leadership of Kristin Brousseau, D.O., and Bob Booth, Ph.D., has been supported by the Administrative Core for travel to the national multi-CFAR initiative directed CFAR Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Network (SBSRN) by David Metzger at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues at Emory University, by the Developmental core with pilot grants to K. Brousseau, D.O. (Psychiatry) and Paul Cook, Ph.D. (Nursing). Drs. Brousseau, Cook and Dr. Booth have spoken at the CFAR conference and engaged the audience to consider behavioral issues in care, patient recruitment and retention.

Based on the CFAR Behavior Group conference, they proposed that behavioral investigators be included on all clinical grants and the first such proposal was submitted by Dr. Janoff which included Karen Lyda, Psychiatric NPH, on the proposal. The local group has also had 2 meeting supported by CFAR which identified new investigators around the state. An R21 submitted from this group is currently in revision.

The Colorado CFAR Behavioral Program's mission is to coordinate and facilitate local behavioral and social science researchers currently working in or interested in HIV and HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection. This follows a move by CFAR at the national level to increase cross-CFAR collaboration in the social and behavioral science areas and to assist those CFAR sites that do not yet have a Social and Behavioral Science Core to eventually develop one. Local researchers, enumerated in part below, are fostering collaboration and resources and identifying a local agenda and research infrastructure.

Bob Booth, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry

A "social psychologist" with programs in Ukraine. PI on numerous HIV and HIV/Hepatitis C, and drug-related behavioral science research projects (>$25,000,000 in NIH research grants). Dr. Booth is a member of the Clinical Trials Network, is an NIH grant reviewer and has given more than 35 national and international invited presentations. Colorado CFAR speaker, grant reviewer, and formerly on the CFAR Internal Advisory Board. Over 110 peer-reviewed publications.

Lucy Bradley-Springer, PhD, RN, ACRN, FAAN
Associate Professor of Medicine,
Adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing

Principal Investigator and Director of the Mountain-Plains AIDS Education and Training Center. HIV Prevention, nursing in the HIV epidemic, and adult and professional education.

Kristin Brousseau, DO,
Instructor in Psychiatry and Infectious Diseases

Research fellow with the VISN 19/Denver VAMC MIRECC (Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center) Organized and synthesized the CO CFAR Behavioral Program. Her research interests are in the neuropsychiatry of HIV, including cognitive impairment in HIV. She was awarded a Colorado CFAR Developmental Project Grant. American Psychiatric Association 2005 Young Investigator Award for her work on this project.

Paul Cook, PhD,
Assistant Professor of Nursing,
Director of the School of Nursing's Center for Nursing Research

Dr. Cook is a clinical psychologist by training. HIV-related research interests are in prevention and adherence. PI of a 2006 Colorado CFAR Developmental Project Grant.

Karen F. Corsi, ScD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

PI/Co-PI on 3 currently NIDA-sponsored studies involving IVDU and HIV and HIV/Hep C risk behaviors. A recently submitted R21 to NIDA titled "Brief motivational interviewing to induce substance abuse treatment among HIV-positive methamphetamine-using MSM" is in revision.

Karen Lyda, Psychiatric NP,
Instructor in Infectious Diseases

Psychiatric nurse practioner Addiction Recovery Treatment Services' (ARTS) Special Services program. Drug abuse, risk behaviors and HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection

Laetitia Thompson, PhD
Associate Professor of Neuropsychology, Psychiatry and Neurology

Director of the UCD Neuropsychology Laboratory, co-investigator on NIDA-sponsored studies related to HIV and HCV risk reduction and co-morbid psychiatric illness.

UCD - AIDS Clinical Trial Unit (ACTU) Related Behavioral Studies

A Longitudinal Observational Study of Cerebral and Neurocognitive Function in HIV-Infected Persons with a History of Advanced Disease on HAART

Sponsored by: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the MRS Consortium.

Principal Investigator: Brad Navia, MD Local Investigators: Thomas Campbell, MD (PI); Kristin Brousseau, DO (Neuropsychiatrist); Laetitia Thompson, PhD (Neuropsychologist)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multi-Center Trial of Pregabalin Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Associated with HIV Neuropathy

Sponsored by: Pfizer (A0081066)

ACTG 5235 Phase II, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study of Minocycline in the Treatment of HIV-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Sponsored by: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Neurologic AIDS Research Consortium.

Local Investigators: Thomas Campbell, MD (PI); Kristin Brousseau, DO (Neuropsychiatrist); Laetitia Thompson, PhD (Neuropsychologist)

Participating Institutions and Programs:

• UCD
• University of Colorado Hospital
• Infectious Disease Group Practice
• AIDS Clinical Trials Unit
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• Department of Medicine
• Division of Infectious Diseases
• Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)
• Department of Psychiatry
  • Substance Abuse Division
  • Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS)
  • Neuropsychology Laboratory
• Department of Neurology
• University of Colorado School of Nursing
• Mountain Plains AIDS Education Training Center
• Denver VA
  • VISN 19 Mental Illness Research Education & Clinical Centers (MIRECC)
  • Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS)
• Denver Health Medical Center
  • HIV/AIDS Services, Prevention and Research

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