Predicting risk behavior in HIV+ individuals: examining a neurocognitive model

Health risk behaviors can threaten health and safety from both an individual and a public health perspective. The costs associated with high-risk behaviors can also be substantial. Among HIV+ individuals, risky behavior can have severe repercussions, including HIV disease transmission. Much of the current literature has focused on psychosocial predictors of risky behavior while the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Frontal white matter tracts in the brain that are involved in higher-order, complex functions are likely to be involved. Therefore, this study test a novel neurocognitive model, identifying the cognitive processes associated with risk behavior. Building on the applicant?s solid foundation in neuropsychology and demonstrated potential for independent research, this project will significantly accelerate her work in neuroAIDS research. The innovative research program that this applicant will establish has the potential to improve our understanding of brain-behavior relationships, particularly in HIV, and to inform more successful, cost-effective prevention and intervention efforts for risk behaviors.