HIV-1 asscociated dementia is the result of a cumulative pathogenic damage that ultimately affect the brains synaptic functions. As HIV-A is a growing epidemic, new and more effective treatments need to be found. Researchers at the University Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) have discovered and cloned a novel virally-induced, macrophage transcription factor, OTK18, whose expression correlates with progression HIV-1 encephalitis. Monoclonal antibodies specific for OTK18 have been developed for potential use as diagnostic and/or prognostic indicators of HIV-1 encephalitis or as research tools. The manner in which OTK 18 differentially accumulates in HIV infected macrophage cells deems it a potential target for the treatment of HIV.