National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium

Overview

The National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium (NNTC) was established in 1998 to support researchers around the world who wish to further NIMH’s understanding of HIV-associated central nervous system dysfunction–including cognitive, neurologic, and mental health outcomes.

This NIMH-funded consortium provides clinical data and biological specimens to investigators interested in HIV-induced neuropathogenesis in the context of anti-retroviral therapy, as well as investigators who are advancing efforts toward a cure for HIV. Specifically, the NNTC serves to collect, store, and distribute high quality and well characterized biospecimens that have been donated by people living with HIV and HIV-negative volunteers. In addition to biospecimens, the NNTC collects and distributes prospective neuromedical, neuropsychological, and psychiatric clinical data from study volunteers.

To ensure uniformity across the NNTC’s four clinical sites, detailed pathological evaluations of brain, spinal cord, and peripheral organs are conducted post-mortem, and samples are banked according to strict protocols.

The NNTC also includes a data coordinating center, which works with each clinical site to manage data and brain banking operations. The coordinating center serves as a data repository, provides biostatistical expertise, and expands coordination and distribution capability. Each site is required to adhere to the highest ethical standards regarding specimen procurement, data sharing, consent, protection of human subjects, and donor anonymity.

Contact

Vasudev R. Rao, M.B.B.S., M.S. 
5601 Fishers Lane, Room 9G27 
Rockville, MD 20852 
240-669-5609, vasudev.rao@nih.gov