Pathophysiology of HIV Associated Neurodegeneration in Aging Populations on Long Term Anti Retroviral Therapy (R01) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity RFA-MH-12-070?

RFA-MH-12-070 is an NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Pathophysiology of HIV Associated Neurodegeneration in Aging Populations on Long Term Anti Retroviral Therapy (R01)." It supports research that explains why and how neurocognitive impairment and neurodegeneration can still occur in people living with HIV who are aging and have been on long-term antiretroviral therapy.

What is the main goal of this R01 opportunity?

The main goal is to move beyond the general observation that cognitive impairment can persist in treated HIV and instead generate a clearer, evidence-based understanding of the mechanisms driving HAND and HIV-related neurodegeneration in adults over age 50 who have long-term HIV infection and long-term HAART exposure.

Which NIH Institutes are sponsoring this opportunity?

This opportunity is jointly sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Why does the FOA emphasize aging populations with HIV?

The FOA is built on the idea that HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in older adults may involve different biology than in younger HIV-positive populations. Aging-related changes in the brain and immune system may interact with chronic HIV infection and cumulative exposure to HAART, potentially altering causes, clinical presentation, and progression of impairment.

What age group is specifically highlighted in this announcement?

The scientific focus is on individuals over age 50 living with HIV who have been on long-term antiretroviral therapy.

What research areas or mechanisms are within scope?

The scope emphasizes mechanistic understanding of HIV-associated neuropathogenesis in real-world long-term treatment settings. Examples of aging-related processes of interest include immune senescence, chronic inflammation, vascular and metabolic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduced neuronal resilience. HIV-related factors include viral persistence, reservoirs, viral proteins, and immune activation. Treatment-related factors include long-term antiretroviral exposure, central nervous system drug penetration issues, toxicity profiles, and drug-drug interactions.

Does the FOA encourage research on neuroinflammation and glial dysfunction?

Yes. The FOA explicitly describes laboratory-based studies that clarify cellular and molecular mechanisms, including neuroinflammation and glial dysfunction, as within the envisioned range of projects.

Are blood-brain barrier changes and oxidative stress relevant topics for this FOA?

Yes. The FOA includes examples such as oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier changes, synaptic injury, and neuronal circuit disruption as part of the mechanistic research space.

Does the FOA address the possibility that HAND overlaps with other neurodegenerative diseases?

Yes. A major theme is that older adults are more likely to have age-associated comorbidities and competing neurodegenerative processes. The FOA highlights the need to consider overlap or interaction with neurodegenerative diseases and aging-related comorbid conditions that can affect cognition and complicate diagnosis and prognosis.

What comorbidities are specifically mentioned as important to consider?

The FOA mentions vascular disease, metabolic syndrome, depression and other psychiatric conditions, substance use histories, and other chronic health burdens that may influence cognitive trajectories in older adults living with HIV.

What types of studies does this FOA support (basic, translational, clinical)?

The FOA supports a broad range of study types, including basic, translational, and clinical research. It includes laboratory-based mechanistic studies as well as human studies focused on diagnosis, biomarkers, neuroimaging, neuropsychological phenotyping, and treatment strategies.

Are biomarker and neuroimaging studies responsive to this announcement?

Yes. The FOA specifically notes human studies focused on biomarkers and neuroimaging, along with clinical diagnosis and neuropsychological phenotyping, as examples of responsive work.

Is this a clinical trial-only opportunity?

No. The FOA describes a broad set of study approaches and does not limit the opportunity to clinical trials. It spans laboratory, translational, and clinical research aimed at understanding mechanisms and improving diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Does the FOA require multidisciplinary teams or collaborations?

No. While the FOA encourages multidisciplinary teams and collaborative alliances, it does not require them. A single-investigator or single-institution application can be competitive if well-justified and methodologically rigorous.

Can projects be conducted internationally or include international populations?

Yes. The FOA signals openness to research conducted in both domestic and international settings, reflecting the global distribution of HIV and the growing number of older adults living with HIV worldwide.

Are non-U.S. entities eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility language includes non-U.S. entities and regional organizations. The FOA also allows foreign components of U.S. organizations, supporting international research partnerships and study populations.

What grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?

This is an R01 research project grant opportunity.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The FOA states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the activity area or funding category?

It is described as discretionary funding under the health activity area.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on April 6, 2011. The original and current closing date is September 9, 2011. The archive date is October 10, 2011.

What CFDA numbers are associated with this funding opportunity?

The FOA is associated with multiple CFDA numbers reflecting participating institutes: 93.242 (Mental Health Research Grants), 93.853 (Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders), and 93.866 (Aging Research).

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is broad. It includes public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status); small businesses; for-profit entities (other than small businesses); and many levels of government (city/township, county, state, special district). Public housing authorities and independent school districts are also included.

Are minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations included in eligibility?

Yes. The FOA explicitly includes a wide set of organizations and communities, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, faith-based and community-based organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

What outcomes is NIH hoping to achieve through funded projects?

The FOA indicates an expectation that funded projects will clarify disease mechanisms, improve differentiation of HAND from other age-related neurocognitive disorders, and identify actionable targets for prevention, diagnosis, or treatment tailored to aging people living with HIV on long-term HAART.

What makes this FOA different from general HAND research announcements?

This FOA emphasizes that HAND and neurodegeneration in older adults on long-term therapy may be driven by distinct interactions among aging biology, chronic HIV factors, and long-term antiretroviral exposure. It prioritizes teasing apart these interactions and addressing diagnostic and mechanistic complexity introduced by comorbidities and competing neurodegenerative processes.