Brain immune cells and cognitive trouble in lupus
Official title: The Relationship Between Brain Macrophages and Cognitive Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11391085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in lupus patients and mouse models looks at how brain macrophages may be linked to thinking problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $756,702 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI170938-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391085 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus, especially those at risk for CNS involvement, and patients who may contribute brain tissue or blood-derived samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without NP-SLE or without involvement of brain macrophage pathways may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how brain-resident macrophages are related to cognitive symptoms seen in neuropsychiatric lupus (NP-SLE). Researchers will use prior mouse data and single-cell RNA sequencing to identify disease-specific macrophage states and test whether altering these cells improves behavior in NP-SLE-prone mice. The work aims to connect brain immune changes with cognitive outcomes, potentially highlighting new therapeutic angles for NP-SLE. Results could pave the way for targeted strategies to protect brain function in people with lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal brain immune targets for preventing or reducing cognitive impairment in NP-SLE.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linked disease-associated brain macrophages to behavioral outcomes in NP-SLE mouse models, with some promising findings using targeted treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cuda, Carla M — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Cuda, Carla M
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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.