Characterizing olfactory and associated reward-related cognitive functions in HIV

National Institute On Drug Abuse

Investigators

Abstract

Over the past fiscal year, we have designed a study protocol to examine olfactory function and model-based decision making in people with substance use disorder (SUD) and people living with HIV, and to relate these measures to biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Our study design will also allow us to test interactions between SUD and HIV. Olfactory function will be assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test and model-based behavior will be studied using two different laboratory tasks (outcome devaluation and sensory preconditioning). We will also measure blood- and MRI-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration.