Neuropsychological problems caused by HIV/AIDS Medication

Neuropsychological problems caused by HIV/AIDS Medication

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Specific Aims

            AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) was discovered back in 1968 and has grown with leaps and bounds infecting 300,000 people with deaths amounting to 38,780 in 1996. A timeline of HIV/AIDS. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/aids-timeline/

            Research down through the years have netted many different treatments for HIV/AIDS client. Although the cure is working and helping a lot of people, looking at the neurocognitive process caused by the medication can explain some of the psychologic behavior problems suffered by those with AIDS/HIV.

            There are many different medications an AIDS/HIV suffer take to keep CD4 count at a high. The CD4 count is a test that measures how many CD4 cells you have in your blood. These are a type of white blood cell, called T-cells, that move throughout your body to find and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invading germs. Keeping your CD4 count up can hold off symptoms and complications of HIV and help HIV/AIDS suffers live longer.

Background

            Medical progresses have grown since 1980’s when HIV/AIDS was discovered. The causative expiation of HIV/AIDS were that it was transmitted through sexual intercourse and believed that it was the result of gay men’s sexual escapades and drug usage. Pasteur Institute in Paris isolated the virus and created a new name of Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. Michael Shernoff, M.S.W, Raymond A. Smith, Ph.D. (2000)

            The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was instrumental in getting approval of a drug that would combat the replication of the HIV virus. Zidovudine better known as AZT is the first in a long line of inhibiting drugs. Once activated in the blood stream it helped with already cell from producing other HIV cells in the host. Michael Shernoff, M.S.W, Raymond A. Smith, Ph.D. (2000)

            The introduction of therapy on behave of the HIV/AIDS ailment came many different drugs that did what they were designed to do but with more side effects that causes neurocognitive problems not expected by the client. Didanosine, Emtricitabine, Stavudine, Tenoforvir, Zidovuine, Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Rilpivirne, Fosamprenavir and Tipranavir are drugs used for the non-replication of the disease.

            Infections, Stress, Depression Diet are some of the side effects felt by clients using medication for HIV/AIDS. Such Concern of the individual is a knowledgeable informant (such as a friend or family member), or the clinician that there’s been a significant decline in cognitive function; and A substantial impairment in cognitive performance, preferably documented by standardized neuropsychological testing. Of if neuropsychological testing isn’t available, another type of qualified assessment. Grohol, J. (2016).

Significance

Data indicate in 1988 that men with AIDS were 36 times more likely to commit suicide than the entire population of men 20 to 59 years old, and 66 times more likely than the general population. Gina Kolata. (1988). As the sickness progress, along with the development of new medications so did the side effects of said medications. Drinking, drug use and other care free dangerous activities are occurring with HIV/AIDS suffers. The biggest down fall is the clients with HIV/AIDS don’t use counseling services on a regular basis. It is common as those who take medications for HIV/AIDS that the main side effect is depression. It is a common fact that HIV/AIDS is the social death of the suffer and compiled with the side effects of the drugs is a melting post for disaster. 

Proposed Study

Participants: 100

                         50 Male and 50 Female = 100

Procedures:

Each participant would be made up of both male and female at a rate of 50/50. No participant will be selected based on their sexual orientation but rather on their HIV/AIDS status. The geographical area would consist of the highest percentage of concentration of HIV/AIDS clients within one state.  Each participant would be paid for their time in accordance with the summary proposal budget Appendix: A, Section: D.

There will three areas of evaluation:

a.       Depression quiz, 16 question ranging from ((A to D) with a value of A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3)

b.      Cognitive symptoms (deficits) of depression test, 6 question ranging from ((A to D) with a value of A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3)

c.       Appraisal interview, will consist of looking at each quiz answer ranging from the answers given for B, C, D. Questions will be asked in relationship of start or type of medication they are taking.

d.      The last phase would be to issue them a referral to a license psychologist to help with their coping skills.

e.       The administers of the quizzes will travel to the location of the HIV/AIDS suffers due to the client inability to travel due to no car or encompassed with going out.

Hypotheses & Analysis:

The studies hypotheses are to prove or disprove that the medication taken by HIV/AIDS clients is causing them to have Neurocognitive problems and enlisting a set of behaviors not normal to non-suffers of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the study will bring to light the mounting problems assonated with the taking HIV/AIDS medication that the client is not considering. 

The analysis is very simple in that the questions asked on the quizzes will lead to conversation about the client’s treatment and bring to light problems they don’t realize they have and have never gotten help from a psychologist.

Budget Justification

            The justification for the budget is clear and concise as it pertains to current product prices. The investigator and research assistant compensation is equal to the going rate of professionals in the field of psychology. Since travel is needed to administer all test and counseling, the funds for travel is equal to 27.27miles equal to .55 per mile for domestic PI travel and 18.18 miles equal to .55 per mile for RA travel.

The participant support will receive a stipend of $50.00   to participant in the study. Furthermore,  The other cost label other direct cost are commence to the cost of having the devices to collect information gathered from the study.