School of Medicine

Comprehensive Alcohol Research Center

About LSUHSC CARC
RESEARCH COMPONENT

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Effects of Chronic Alcohol Abuse on HIV in the Genital Mucosal Environment

Principal Investigator: Angela Amedee, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Co-investigators: Ronald Veazey, DVM, PhD; TNPRC

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Overall hypothesis: We hypothesize that chronic Binge Alcohol (CBA): (1) Enhances the acquisition and early replication of HIV following vaginal exposure by changing the function and distribution of submucosal immune cells and reducing the innate defenses of the genital compartment; and (2) Increases viral replication in tissue reservoirs specifically in the genital tract, resulting in the persistence and shedding of HIV within the reproductive tract; and (3) Exacerbates viral replication and shedding in the genital compartment of gonadal hormone-deficient females.

RESEARCH COMPONENT

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Alcohol & Metabolic Dysregulation in SIV/HIV; Muscle & Adipose Mechanisms

Principal Investigator: Patricia Molina, MD, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Co-Investigator: Liz Simon, BVSc, PhD

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Research examines the interaction of alcohol-SIV/HIV on metabolic regulatory mechanisms. Using whole body, tissue, and cell based integrative physiological approaches, the aim of our studies is to understand the pathophysiology underlying metabolic dyshomeostasis and its contribution to increased risk for cardiometabolic comorbidities in persons living with HIV.

RESEARCH COMPONENT

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Alcohol Use Disorder & Aging in HIV: The Role of the Microbiota & Inflamm-aging

Principal Investigator: David Welsh, MD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

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Overall hypothesis: Excessive alcohol use in HIV infected individuals accelerates aging. We further hypothesize that alimentary tract dysbiosis in HIV infected individuals with alcohol use disorder accelerates aging by amplifying inflamm-aging.

RESEARCH COMPONENT

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Social Environmental Stress and Alcohol Use in PLWHA

Principal Investigator: Katherine Theall, PhD; Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Co-investigator: Aubrey S. Madkour, PhD and Maeve E. Wallace, PhD; Tulane University

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Data from this study will be used to develop a better understanding of the mechanism linking early life adversity and chronic psychosocial stress to HIV clinical outcomes and the potentially harmful role of coping behaviors including alcohol use. To address the current challenges facing effective efforts to improve HIV care, it is paramount that we focus on not only multiple social determinants, but also on the social experiences and lives of PLWH. Results will inform disease management and prevention efforts and the science behind early life adversity and chronic psychosocial stress, providing critical information for mutable targets for inclusion in structural, individual-level, and multilevel interventions.

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH/EDUCATION

The Information Dissemination Core

Scott Edwards, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

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Overall hypothesis: The Information Dissemination Core aims to impact knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding patterns and trajectories of alcohol use, especially as it pertains to persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

PILOT PROJECT 1

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Plasma microRNAs as biomarkers for AUD in HIV-patients

Principal Investigator: Francesca Peruzzi, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

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Overall hypothesis: That HIV-patients with AUD and cognitive impairment have a plasma microRNA signature which is different from HIV-patients without AUD and without cognitive impairment.

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Status: Completed. Publication in revision.

PILOT PROJECT 2

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Stress Reactivity & Alcohol Craving in People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) & AUD

Principal Investigator: Nicholas Gilpin, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Co- Investigator: Katherine Theall, PhD; Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

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Overall hypothesis: That PLWHA with AUD will exhibit blunted HPA stress response, NPY deficits, over-expression of genes that promote GR function, and higher basal and stress-induced alcohol craving than non-AUD controls, and that stress biomarker levels will be associated with alcohol craving in PLWHA with AUD

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Status: Completed. Publication in revision.

PILOT PROJECT 3

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Neurobiological correlates of pain & cognitive dysfunction in a Rhesus Macaque model of HIV/Alcohol Co-Morbidity.

Principal Investigator: Scott Edwards, PhD; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

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Overall hypothesis: That comorbidity of SIV/alcohol exposure to increase neuropathy and pain perception is the result of maladaptation of glucocorticoid signaling in various brain regions.

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Status: In process

 

Funding for this site is provided by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).