National NeuroHIV Tissue Consortium

Overview

The National NeuroHIV 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. In 2023, the NNTC, currently named the National NeuroHIV Tissue consortium, became jointly funded by NIMH, NIDA, NINDS, and NIA.

This consortium provides clinical data, biological data, and post-mortem tissue specimens to investigators interested in studying HIV-associated CNS comorbidities in the context of anti-retroviral therapy, as well as investigators who are advancing efforts toward a cure for HIV. Specifically, the NNTC collects, stores, and distributes high quality and well characterized biospecimens, including brain, peripheral tissues, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, that have been donated by people with HIV and people without HIV. In addition to biospecimens, the NNTC longitudinally collects and distributes prospective neuromedical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and other clinical data from study volunteers.

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

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 NNTC site is required to adhere to the highest ethical standards regarding specimen procurement, data sharing, consent, protection of human subjects, and donor anonymity.

Additional information is available on the NNTC website: NNTC.org .

Contacts

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

Contract Manager:
Elizabeth (Beth) A. Finch, Ph.D.
5601 Fishers Lane, Room 9G28
Rockville, MD 20852
301-573-9723, elizabeth.finch@nih.gov