Buprenorphine's impact on brain health for people with HIV and opioid use
Effect of buprenorphine on monocytes in the context of neuroAids and opioid abuse
This research explores how buprenorphine might help improve brain health in people living with HIV who also have opioid use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131233 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people living with HIV experience brain health challenges, especially if they also have opioid use disorder. Our previous work suggests that buprenorphine, a medication often used for opioid use disorder, might also help with these brain issues. We believe buprenorphine works by affecting certain immune cells called monocytes, which can carry HIV into the brain. This project will further explore how buprenorphine interacts with these cells and their movement into the brain, using both lab models and potentially human samples, to understand if it can protect the brain from HIV-related damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients living with HIV who also experience neurocognitive impairments and opioid use disorder might be interested in future developments from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without HIV-associated neurocognitive impairments or opioid use disorder may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to protect brain health and improve quality of life for people living with HIV and opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Our initial findings suggest buprenorphine may improve neuropsychological outcomes in people with opioid use disorder, with or without HIV, indicating a promising direction for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Bronx, United States
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine — Bronx, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berman, Joan Weinberger — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Berman, Joan Weinberger
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.