
A Roadmap for Brain Health in HIV: new views and practical tools for the Canadian context
FRIDAY, MAY 1 – 13:00-14:15
(Click here to view the presentation video)
This session will provide a framework for addressing mental health and cognitive challenges in people aging with HIV. The framework we propose considers biological factors such as HIV effects on the brain, comorbidity, cognition and mood, and how these drive function in everyday life, as modified by environmental and societal factors including economic marginalization and stigma.
Anchored in the perspective from the Canadian +BHN Cohort, the focus will be on high impact areas where interventions might be successful.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the strengths and limitations of different methods of assessing cognition in HIV;
- Describe the neuroimaging findings and their relationship to cognition and clinical factors;
- List the major contributors to successful aging
- Recognize points of intervention to improve brain health
Presenters:
Dr. David Vance, Ph.D., MGS (Moderator)
Psychologist, Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. Dr. Vance actively researches neurocognitive aging and HIV. He chairs the Neurocognitive Group of the Women’s Initiative HIV Study (WHIS), a US longitudinal cohort study. He is the author of numerous publications (+235 peer-reviewed articles) and presentations (+450) as well as being an invited member to a White House forum and an NIH Think Tank, both focused on aging with HIV.
Lesley K. Fellows, MD CM, DPhil
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; CTN investigator
Nancy E. Mayo, PhD
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Marie-Josée Brouillette, MD
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; CTN investigator
COVID-19 & HIV management…the Academic & Community clinician experiences and perspectives
SATURDAY, MAY 2 – 11:00-12:00
Hosted by: Merck
(Click here to view the presentation video)
As a healthcare community, we are all navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with a concern for the wellbeing of our patients. In the spirit of openness and learning together, we are pleased to hold this symposium in order to share the experiences of both the academic and community HIV treaters, the learnings we have had over the past few months and how we have adjusted to managing patients and ourselves. In addition, we are presenting for the first time publicly, a provincial guidance on the management of HIV and COVID-19 to be used as a reference for those who are interested. We look forward to hearing how you have adapted and encourage an open dialogue for all. Stay safe, stay healthy and thank you for all the extraordinary work you do.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the challenges, changes and new research at an academic research centre
- Presentation of Le Comité consultatif VIH du Québec guidance on managing HIV and COVID-19
Presenters:

Clinical Director of the Chronic Viral Illness Service
Division of Hematology and Chronic Viral Illness Service
Louis Lowenstein Chair in Hematology & Oncology
Professor of Medicine, McGill University
Director, Réseau SIDA et maladies infectieuses FRQ-S

Dr. Jean-Guy Baril, M.D.
Assistant clinical professor – Department of family medicine and emergency medicine, University of Montreal
Co-director – FRSQ AIDS and Infectious Diseases Network
President – Advisory committee on the clinical management of people living with HIV / AIDS for the Ministry of Health and Social Services
Director of Research – Latin Quarter Medical Clinic, Montreal