Technical report on research project:
"Evaluation of psycho-social factors during transition from HIV =
infection toward AIDS"
1. Research overview
The research group started with an on field observation: "there are =
some individuals, infected by HIV virus, that does not acquire any =
immunodeficiency syndrome even after ten or more years from infection" (lon=
g survivors). This "surprising fact" (in Pierce point of view) lead us to f=
orm the hypothesis that immunodeficiency, viewed as a progressive decreasin=
g in CD4 cells and observed in individuals infected by HIV virus, could not=
be understood as time only dependent syndrome but others factors should p=
lay a role. Thus "long survivors" could be explained with a good and strong=
immuno-system response. This leads to another question: "Wich factors ar=
e involved in immuno-system response ?" A possible answer can be that the i=
mmuno-system is be affected not only by his genetic configuration but also =
by others factors involving psychological environment. If this answer is fa=
lse we should find that factors derived from recent and remote stress event=
s and psychological reaction schemes should not affect the pattern from HIV=
+ to AIDS.
2. The Hypothesis
The hypothesis that we go to verify or falsify in this research is: =
"The immunological response in HIV infection is modified by following =
psychological factors: recent and remote events and psychological =
reaction scheme mostly used by individuals".
3. Research assumptions
We assume that the CD4 cells decrement observed in drug addict =
individuals infected by HIV virus does not depends only on time but =
also on others factors. We view AIDS as a multi-variate syndrome =
where biologicals, psychologicals and even socials factors play an =
important role. In detail we consider important following areas of =
research:
- area 1: CD4 state
- area 2: HIV+ progression toward AIDS
- area 3: recent and remote stress events impact.
- area 4: psychological reaction scheme
4. Research aims
The experimental design is expected to survey almost 500 cases of =
drug addict individuals infected by HIV virus. Data survey should =
identify, for each individual, the HIV+ to AIDS pattern (rapid, =
typical or slow) and correlate it to other factors (remote and =
recent events, reaction scheme) in order to verify or falsify the =
research hypothesis. To achieve this target a logical/mathematical =
model should be constructed and should explain the HIV+ to AIDS =
pattern. After this an AI correlated software program will be =
constructed in order to serve as investigating tool.
5. Software requirements
The software, wich name is SIDAEval, should be an Expert system =
suitable for Personal Computers running with Windows 3.1 or higher =
operative system. The logical model will be implemented using =
logical calculus, neural networks and fuzzy logic correlated =
methodologies. User interface should be as simple and as friendly =
as possible thus allowing the system to be operated also by non =
pc-expert users.
6. Research time schedule
The research started in April 1995. In January 1996 the logical =
model and SIDAEval software construction phases was terminated. =
Research now continue with 500 cases survey using software. =
Research should be concluded before end of 1996.
To get more info about the project contact one of the following :
Davide Gatta, data retrieval and internet consultant [dgatta at iper.net] =
Leonardo Montecchi, psychiatrist [lmontecc at iper.net]
Mario Motta, knowledge engineer [mmotta at iper.net]
Giampaolo Proni, semiologist [gproni at iper.net]
