Perspectives from the National Institute of Mental Health: Preventing or living with AIDS

Abstract

This article provides a succinct overview of the history and current and future research priorities of the Office on AIDS at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Throughout its history and currently, the Office on AIDS has encouraged and supported research on primary prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, effects of HIV disease on the central nervous system, and coping with the sequelae of infection. Future directions for the NIMH include the dissemination of research findings to the community, investigation of mechanisms for involving and retaining participants in large-scale vaccine trials, and continued attention to the prevention of HIV transmission through behavior change.