Synaptodendritic Injury in HAND
The lab has identified novel roles of chemokines on differentiated neurons, such as regulation of neuronal-glial communication, neurotransmission, and excitotoxicity. These findings have prompted us to investigate the effects of specific chemokines on dendritic spines, which are critically involved in neuroprotection and synaptic plasticity, and to study the modulation of this effect by opiates and HIV proteins. Due to the reversible nature of synaptodendritic injury, as opposed to cell loss, this research has the potential to reveal novel therapeutic targets to effectively intervene in the treatment of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and other neurodegenerative conditions.