Effect of timing of ARV initiation on neurodevelopment in children (A collaboration between SEARCH and HIV-NAT)

Associate Prof. Kiat Ruxrungtham: Principal Investigator, Dr. Jintanat Ananworanich: Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Thanyawee Puthanakit and Dr. Jasper Van Derlugt: Project leaders

This NIMH/NICHD-funded substudy will evaluate the effect of immediate versus deferred ARV initiation on neurodevelopment in children with HIV in Cambodia and Thailand. It is a substudy of the NIAID-funded PREDICT study (Pediatric Randomized to Early versus Deferred ART Initiation in Cambodia and Thailand) which randomizes children ages 1- 12 years with mild or moderate HIV symptoms and CD4 15-24% to starting ART immediately or deferring until CD4 drops below 15%. This 3-year study will complete in 2010.