Advanced brain scans for frontostriatal injury in adults with HIV
An advanced functional MRI study of frontostriatal injury in adults with HIV
This project uses detailed MRI brain scans and quick behavioral tests to find patterns of brain injury linked to thinking problems in adults living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10906925 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll have detailed functional MRI brain scans that focus on frontostriatal circuits, the hippocampus, and the thalamus. You'll complete brief behavioral tests designed to quickly screen for thinking and memory problems and may provide blood samples. The study follows participants over time and includes comparison with control participants to link imaging changes with cognitive status. The team aims to identify imaging and behavioral markers that could help diagnose and track HIV‑associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21 years and older) living with HIV who can attend in-person visits and undergo MRI scans and brief cognitive testing.
Not a fit: Children, people without HIV, and anyone who cannot safely have an MRI (for example due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to quicker, more accurate detection of HIV-related thinking problems and help guide treatments that protect cognition.
How similar studies have performed: Prior imaging studies have linked frontostriatal and hippocampal changes to cognitive problems in people with HIV, but reliable clinical biomarkers are still limited, so this builds on promising but not yet definitive work.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Georgetown University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Xiong — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Xiong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.