Research Interests: Research efforts focus on the role of the immune system in pathological processes of the central nervous system using murine models.

Our primary focus is to examine the immune response during viral encephalitis. A model of HIV encephalitis in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice was developed whereby HIV-infected or uninfected human mononuclear cells are injected intracerebrally. Pathologically these brains closely resemble the changes seen in humans with this condition. In addition these mice exhibit behavioral abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with HIV dementia. Currently we are studying: 1) the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy and other novel treatments in HIV encephalitis in SCID mice, 2) the effects of opiate administration in HIV encephalitis in SCID mice and 3) the examination of different viral clades or subtypes on the development of HIV encephalitis in SCID mice.

We have also developed an in vitro system which parallels the animal model and will allow us to address subcellular mechanisms of disease. Ultimately, we will identify mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HIV encephalitis so that better treatment strategies can be developed. The lab has also studied the pathogenesis of demyelinating disease using EAE models.