July 18, 2017

Director's Voice

Social and Behavioral Research Essential to the Draft Pain Research Priorities. The Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee and the Office of Pain Policy at the National Institutes of Health recently released the draft Federal Pain Research Priorities, followed by a period of public comment and a symposium to discuss these draft research priorities. Given the modest effects of our current pain management strategies and the contributions of our limited ability to manage pain on the opioid abuse epidemic, every social and behavioral scientist should read this report and consider how to advance our ability to better manage pain.

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Annual NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival 

SAVE THE DATE: December 8, 2017 — NIH Campus, Natcher Conference Center (Bldg. 45). The Annual NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Festival will be hosted by OBSSR and the NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee. The purpose of the festival is to highlight recently funded behavioral and social sciences research that the NIH supports; bring together behavioral and social scientists within the NIH extramural and intramural communities to network with each other and share scientific ideas; and explore ways to advance behavioral and social sciences research.

July Director's Series Webinar

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 2 pm ET, Paul Meyer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo, will present on "The role of environmental and taste cues in nicotine/alcohol interactions."
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High-fat-induced Cognitive Deficits Reversible by Low-Fat Diet in Alzheimer's Mouse Model

Obesity-induced declines in cognitive function, neuroinflammation, and glucose homeostasis appear to be partially reversed by a low-fat diet in mice with and without mutant copies of genes for Alzheimer’s disease.  This study, funded by NIDDK, NIA, and NIDCD, provides insights into the role of high-fat diets in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and suggests that dietary modifications can improve neural health and cognition.
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Social Support as a Protective Factor for HIV Viral Load Suppression

Social support may have a protective effect on viral load suppression in sexually active HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), according to a new study by grantees funded by NIAID, NCI, NIDA, NIMH, and NIDCD. The study included over 700 sexually active HIV-positive MSM on antiretroviral therapy who were enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) between 2002 and 2009.  MACS participants were invited to complete behavioral and medical questionnaires, blood draws, and physical examinations every six months.  Social support was measured by a one-item question which was found to have high reliability within the sample.  The study also included measures of viral load, antiretroviral adherence, and syndemic indicators (i.e., depression, polysubstance use, and unprotected intercourse).
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Preference for Oral Fluid Rapid HIV Self-testing Among Social Media-using High-risk Males

A new study, funded by NINR, revealed that despite availability and perceived advantages of oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing, previous use and future intention to use this test were low compared to other testing options in HIV-uninfected young men who have sex with men (MSM). Researchers recruited 1975 young MSM from a variety of social media platforms including Facebook and Reddit.  Eligible participants completed an online survey about their opinions, willingness, and preferences for using oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing as well as five other HIV testing options.
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Funding Announcements

Mobile Monitoring of Cognitive Change (U2C)

This FOA invites applications to design and implement research infrastructure that will enable the monitoring of cognitive abilities and age, state, context, or health condition-related changes in cognitive abilities on mobile devices.
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Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Point of Care Technologies Research Network Centers (U54)

POCTRN’s purpose is to drive the development and/or application of appropriate point-of-care technologies through collaborative efforts that merge scientific and technological capabilities with clinical need. The POCTRN Research Centers will create a national research network that works to build expertise in the development and/or application of integrated point-of-care systems that address unmet clinical needs in point-of-care testing through the creation of multidisciplinary partnerships.This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. The FOA is expected to be published in Summer 2017 with an expected application due date in Fall 2017.
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Notice of Intent to Reissue the Funding Opportunity Announcement for the NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) Award (F99/K00)

The NINDS, with other NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Institutes and Centers (ICs), intends to reissue initiative RFA-NS-17-009. The program is designed to facilitate completion of the doctoral dissertation and transition of talented graduate students to strong neuroscience research postdoctoral positions who are from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in neuroscience research. This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful mentoring teams and responsive projects. The overall objectives of the program have not changed, however, potential applicants can expect minor changes to improve the clarity of the previous announcement. The FOA is expected to be published in Summer 2017 with an expected application due date in December 2017.
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Abstract Submission Deadline: July 25, 2017

The abstract solicitation and conference structure have been designed to focus thinking and discussion on the highest priorities for dissemination and implementation science now and in the future to help optimize health and health care in the U.S. and elsewhere. Given the breadth of the field and the importance of maximizing opportunities for participants to follow consistent themes throughout the concurrent sessions of the meeting, ten thematic tracks are included to organize the conference agenda.The call for abstracts for this year's D&I Conference is now open and will close July 25 at 5 pm ET.
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