UIC Department of Psychiatry

Neurocognitive deficits are common in patients with HIV.  Data suggests that a frequent gene variant of the catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene, negatively influences performance and brain activity during tasks involving working memory through its effect on dopamine metabolism. Previously, crack cocaine use was associated with impairments in verbal memory in HIV+ but not HIV- women. Given that illicit drug use as well as dopamine dysregulation are common in HIV patients, this study aims to determine the independent effects of this COMT gene variant and illicit drug use in combination with HIV infection on brain activity in HIV+ women during a working and verbal memory task. Recruitment for this study is occurring through the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).