Imaging Depression in AIDS

Director: Adam I. Kaplin, M.D., Ph.D.

This research program aims at investigating the mechanism by which depression arises in individuals who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Psychiatric symptoms, including depression, are very common in those who are infected with HIV. A deficit in serotonin (5-HT) transmission has been implicated in depression due to other causes. Our research aims at assessing the integrity of the serotonin system in individuals who are infected with HIV and are depressed. Our approach employs positron emission tomography using the positron-emitting ligand for the serotonin transporter [¹¹C]-3-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylsulfanyl)-benzonitrile, [¹¹C]DASB. The regional brain levels of serotonin transporters in HIV-infected individuals who are depressed will be compared to HIV infected individuals who are not depressed and healthy controls. We anticipate that our findings will illuminate the unique mechanism(s) by which depression arises in this group of patients. We believe that they will have broad implications for optimizing diagnostic evaluation and tailoring treatment for depression. This research program is in collaboration with Principal Investigator Martin Pomper, M.D, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Neuroradiology.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Adam Kaplin, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology
akaplin@jhmi.edu
410-955-2343

Michele Pucak, Ph.D.
Research Associate
mpucak@jhsph.edu
410-614-1445