cART, neuroHIV, cocaine use, and brain neuron-astrocyte dysfunction
Official title: cART, neuroHIV, cocaine abuse and the mPFC neuron/astrocyte dysfunction
Funded at Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11387664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aiming to understand how HIV meds, HIV itself, and cocaine use together affect brain cells in people with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $759,014 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA057197-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387664 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV/AIDS who may be experiencing HAND and/or cocaine use disorder could be relevant to related translational research.
✕Less likely to help
People without HAND, without HIV, or not using cocaine are unlikely to benefit from this specific line of investigation.
What this research studies
This project looks at how common HIV treatments might unintentionally affect brain cells in people living with HIV who also use cocaine. By studying neuron and astrocyte activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, researchers want to see if cART changes calcium signaling and neural function linked to HAND. The study uses animal models and human-relevant approaches to explore the biological mechanisms behind HAND and cocaine use in the context of HIV. The findings could point to safer treatment strategies and new targets to protect brain health in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better brain health and quality of life for people with HIV who are on cART and who use cocaine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked HAND, cART, and substance use to neural changes, but the exact role of cART-induced calcium dysregulation in the mPFC remains to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Xiu-Ti — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hu, Xiu-Ti
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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.