Study indicates virus extends life with HIV

A study performed at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center adds compelling evidence that men persistently co-infected over the long-term with HIV and the harmless GB Virus type C (GBV-C) live longer than men infected only with HIV.

At the end of five- to six-year intervals, the co-infected men were nearly three times more likely to be alive.

The findings have implications for the development of new treatment strategies to slow the progression of HIV disease.

The study, which appeared in the March 4, 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, expands on previous co-infection studies by controlling for differences in how long men were infected with HIV and GBV-C.

Jack Stapleton, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and director of the UI AIDS Clinic, was the corresponding author for the study. The study confirms and expands findings published in 2001 by Stapleton's group.

--Becky Soglin

Research Trials

Atherosclerosis

People ages 55 to 90 who have atherosclerosis (deposits of fatty substances or other material that narrow or block blood vessels) are invited to participate in a University of Iowa Health Care study. The purpose of the study is to better understand how blood vessel function relates to cognition, which is the ability to remember things, pay attention, learn, and solve problems. Volunteers must have at least one of the following: atherosclerosis (blockage of the blood vessels), claudication (peripheral vascular disease), angina, previous heart attack, angioplasty, or stent placement. Eligible participants must not have had a stroke or coronary artery bypass surgery. The study is led by neuropsychologist David Moser, Ph.D. For more information, call UI Health Access toll-free and ask for Becky Reese, UI research assistant in psychiatry, or call Reese directly at 319-353-4276.

Schizophrenia
University of Iowa researchers are seeking participants for a national study of new treatments for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The study will test two different types of treatments for people who hear unwanted sounds or voices that others cannot hear. These two treatments are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In this study, some people will receive both treatments, some will receive only one active treatment, and some will receive no active treatment. Participants will not stop or change current anti-psychotic medication while taking part in the study. Principal investigators are Del Miller, M.D., Pharm.D., and Scott Temple, Ph.D. For more information, call Tim Holman at 319-335-6769 or Jane Kerr at 319-353-4955.

Vision testing
People ages 18 and older with glaucoma are invited to participate in a joint University of Iowa and Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center study to identify the most effective methods for determining whether a patient's vision has changed. Determining which tests are best at efficiently and accurately detecting changes in a person's visual field should improve a physician's ability to detect change early and thus avoid delays in initiating or changing treatment. Individuals with glaucoma who have mild to moderate vision loss and no other disease causing vision loss may be eligible to participate. Compensation is available. Michael Wall, M.D., a neuro-ophthalmologist at UI and VAMC, is principal investigator. For more information, call UI Health Access toll-free and ask for Carrie Doyle, study coordinator, or call Doyle directly at (319) 356-1611 or e-mail her at DoyleCA@horus.ophth.uiowa.edu.