Description

The positive brain health now study is a prospective cohort study. We will augment our population through consecutive sampling from five clinics: in Montreal, the Chronic Viral Illness Service at the Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Center and Clinique Médicale l’Actuel, a large primary care and HIV clinic; in Vancouver: the AIDS Research Program (at St Paul’s Hospital); in Hamilton, Special Immunology Services Clinic, and in Toronto, Maple Leaf Medical Clinic.

A total of 900 participants (150-300 per clinic) will be comprehensively assessed and followed longitudinal at 9 month intervals over a 27 months period for a total of 4 assessments (5 assessments if participant is selected to have neurocognitive evaluation).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age ≥ 35 (If necessary, we will oversample patients> 60 years old and women to ensure at least 100 of each are enrolled)
  • HIV + for at least 1 year
  • Able to communicate adequately in either French or English
  • Able to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

  • Dementia as defined by MSK-rating stage 3 or more- cognitive component only
  • Concern about capacity to consent
  • Life expectancy of <3 years or other personal factor limiting the ability to participate in follow-up
  • HIV and non HIV related neurological disorder likely to affect cognition,
  • Known active CNS opportunistic infection or hepatitis C requiring IFN treatment during the follow-up period
  • Known psychotic disorder
  • Current substance dependence or abuse (as per DSM-IV criteria) within the past 12 months

Cohort Information Sheet

The cohort information sheet gives potential participants the necessary understanding for the motivation and procedures of the study and sources of information to answer any further questions to allow them to give informed consent.

Please feel free to download the information sheet!